Intern Sustainability Series: Our Visit to DEH

By Cayman Islands Government (CIG) Interns Sami-Lynne Bulgin and Nya Roberts.

On Tuesday morning, 28th July, before interns arrived at the Department of Environmental Health (DEH), they began the day with an earthquake. However, this did not stop our plans for the day, as we were surprised to learn that the landfill is a fairly safe place to be during a small earthquake. This is because the land is mostly open space, with very little risk of falling debris. It is also one of the highest points in the area, which can be beneficial if a tsunami warning is issued. Interns were welcomed to the landfill by Assistant Director Solid Waste Mr. Michael Haworth, Communications and Marketing Officer Ms. Yolanda Morales-Carvalho, and Recycling Supervisor Mr. Angello Roye.  After a brief introduction, the interns quickly made their way onto the DEH bus and were transported to the top of the landfill.  

Our trip to DEH involved clearing up a lot of misconceptions. For example, the landfill is not a dump; Ms. Yolanda noted the clear distinction between the two. A landfill is always active and has many processes for waste management, whereas a dump is used as a site for abandoning garbage. The view from the top of the landfill was beautiful, and we can confirm that there was no smell! Ms. Yolanda informed those of us on the bus that the stronger odour the community frequently experiences is often from the sewage at the Water Authority’s sewage management plant.

Whilst on top of the George Town landfill, we learnt a lot about the processes behind maintaining a safe landfill site, especially when so many different raw materials are put into the site and piled on. Sections of the landfill have been capped and remediated, including the area we visited, and the waste underneath the green scaping of the hill benefits from installed gas flares and wells that allow methane beneath the landfill cap to be released and safely burned off.

Mr. Haworth spoke about the landfill as being a legacy for the island. The trash at the bottom of the hill, and all the way to its peak, tells a story about Cayman. It traces not only our waste management habits but also our eating patterns, the trends that quickly pass through, the history of natural disasters, and so much more. Looking to the future, Mr. Haworth shared the optimistic viewpoint that one day the landfill could be utilized as a community green space. With the growing lack of green spaces available to the public nowadays, this idea is not far-fetched. The landfill is a man-made site of decomposition that, with vision and dedication, has the potential to become an iconic positive landmark for the local community. To realize this vision, the community will need to work together to manage individual waste responsibly and significantly strengthen sustainability efforts across the islands.

While at the Recycling Center, the interns had the opportunity to view DEH’s compactor in action, compressing recyclable materials into dense blocks that can be organized and shipped overseas. Many were surprised to learn that the compactor compresses plastic, metal, and cardboard at up to 1,000 PSI, producing bales that can weigh between 600 and 1,000 pounds.

The DEH team shared some frequently overlooked steps of recycling, including the fact that the facility on island only accepts two types of plastics: Type 1, such as plastic drinking bottles; and Type 2, such as detergent bottles. Secondly, rinsing your plastics and sorting them appropriately so that only Type 1 and Type 2 are sent for recycling is equally important. During our time at the landfill, Mr. Angello highlighted some public frustration with overflowing recycling depots. Mr. Angello’s noted that overflowing depots are a positive indication that people are making recycling a priority and can serve as a positive signal to government leaders that there is a demand for more depots and bins.

On top of that, interns were able to view the DEH oil tanks that hold vegetable oil and motor oil. After contaminants have been removed, 95% of the motor oil is shipped off the island. Last, but certainly not least, one of the most significant pillars of DEH is its solid waste staff, a team that works extremely hard to support the department's processes. The drivers, collectors, landfill staff, and recycling team all play key roles.  We were able to see the recycling team in action, who are responsible for sorting, stacking, loading, and transporting all compressed recyclable materials to be shipped off the island. Furthermore, we cannot forget about the DEH staff on our Sister Islands, who complete similar operations every day but on a smaller scale.

The interns then left the landfill and headed to the DEH office and lab facility. While there, another distinction made was the difference between DEH and Department of Environment (DOE). DEH is specifically responsible for environmental threats to human health on land. This involves monitoring air quality, water quality, and food quality. They assist community members in every way throughout life, "from cradle to grave." DEH touches many aspects of community life, including building vaults in the ground at the cemeteries.

Speaking to the DEH lab staff, interns learnt that the department interacts directly with tourists and visitors to the island through programmes such as the Port Health Programme. Officers assigned to this programme are stationed at the port and conduct inspections of cruise ships before passengers are allowed to disembark. Without approval from these officers, a cruise ship cannot unload its passengers. The inspection process includes examining the ship's medical facilities, kitchen and food preparation areas, as well as its waste management systems, to ensure it complies with public health standards.

Educating the public about DEH efforts and processes is a longstanding priority of the department. They conduct frequent tours of the landfill to help residents learn more about waste management and recycling practices. In addition, DEH representatives participate in science fairs and visit schools to raise awareness about environmental issues and teach students about the department's role in protecting public health.

In the DEH laboratory, staff complete food testing and provide food-handling certifications. This includes training food handlers every Monday so they are aware of guidelines designed to avoid cross-contamination. Research Officer Simon Watler talked to interns about how he tests for pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Perfringens. He demonstrated the lab's safety protocols to ensure testing remains contained, such as maintaining specific conditions within the lab because pathogens react differently when exposed to different temperatures.

Overall, we think the DEH landfill and lab tours provided interns with privileged insight into the inner workings of this important department. Interns were given the chance to put a face to all of the community processes that are often taken for granted. The various roles within DEH ranged from scientific backgrounds and hands-on positions to administrative teams. This allowed interns to see that there is always more to department services than meets the eye. From this invaluable learning experience, interns can return to their friends, families, and coworkers with new perspectives. Through sharing what they have learnt at DEH, interns can positively inform and influence mindsets and behaviours toward resiliency and sustainability.

Thank you to all of the DEH staff for welcoming the interns into your space, and to all of our CIG Interns Sustainability Series organizers!

Learn more about DEH processes by visiting their website: gov.ky/deh