Check out Cayman Eco's blog for the latest news and updates...

Baby birds need help

Caymanian Compass
17 July 2010

When the Ching-chings start dive-bombing unsuspecting tourists walking through George Town, it is clearly nesting season.

Unfortunately, with nesting season come baby birds in need of help, and although Cayman Wildlife Rescue makes every attempt to restore nestlings to their wild families, this is not always possible.

The organisation is appealing for volunteers to hand-raise baby birds for release back into the wild. Read whole story here.

by Basia Pioro McGuire
Caymanian Compass
12 July 2010

More and more Cayman residents are turning to reusable grocery bags to take home their shopping, preventing at least a few plastic bags from ending up at Mt. Trashmore.

But since the reusable bags are being used for food, they need to be kept clean.

Dr. Monica Hoefert of the Seven Mile Medical Clinic notes that the bags join a host of other kitchen items like fridge doors, dish towels, and kitchen sponges, which all breed germs quite easily. Read whole story here.

Public meetings on draft National Conservation Bill

Caymanian Compass
22 June 2010

Cayman residents can have their say on the newest version of the National Conservation Bill.

Environment Minister Mark Scotland wants to bring the bill to the Legislative Assembly before year’s end.

“I believe that we need comprehensive conservation legislation to adequately protect Cayman’s future,” Mr. Scotland said. “I also hold that the environment is an issue that affects everyone, and therefore it is vital to gauge public opinion on the matter.

The Department of Environment has started public consultations with key stakeholder meetings and the launch of an explanatory guide to the proposed National Conservation Law.

In addition, district meetings will start the week of 5 July. The department will announce times and venues as soon as possible. Read whole story here.

Plastic bag charge starts today

9 June 2010
The Caymanian Compass

Starting today, supermarkets will be implementing a new 5 cent charge for plastic bags as part of the Cayman BECOME campaign to encourage the Cayman Islands public to bring their own reusable bags when they shop.

To prepare for the big day, cashiers and baggers have received training from the Cayman BECOME education and training committee.

“We are aiming to adapt the interaction between cashier and customer for when the charge is introduced,” said Senior Sustainable Development Officer at the Department of Environment Joni Kirkconnell, one of the trainers.

She said cashiers are now being urged to ask customers directly if they have their own bags with them and if not they will ask whether the customer needs a bag and wishes to purchase a reusable bag, or purchase plastic bags. “This should not only make people think about bringing their own bags in the future, but it will also make cashiers more aware of how many plastic bags they are providing, and customers more aware of how many plastic bags they are using,” said Ms Kirkconnell. Read whole story.

The burning question of Cayman's garbage

The Observer on Sunday - Local News
By: Basia Pioro McGuire

The way we think about waste in Cayman is at the forefront these days, with reminders about Mt. Trashmore’s state popping up with news that some of the site’s scrap metal is now being shipped off Island.

The site’s appearance from the Esterly Tibbets bypass may seem to indicate fewer junked cars, but the overwhelming feature, the 60-foot tall mound of garbage, still dominates the Grand Cayman skyline.

The Observer, the Compass the Journal have all reported extensively on Cayman’s trash situaiton and some of the available options. Currently, Dart the company, behind the massive Camana Bay development located adjacent to the hundred-acre landfill site, is holding town hall meetings with various stakeholders to explore possible solutions to the dump dilemma. Read whole story.

Reusable bags catching on

Local supermarkets are reporting an increase in demand for reusable shopping bags, and thanks may be due to the Cayman BECOME campaign.

The campaign, which launched at the beginning of April, is encouraging the Cayman Islands public to bring their own reusable bags when they shop and in doing so to become plastic free.

As part of this campaign, the major local supermarkets will start charging 5 cents per plastic bag from 9 June onwards.

“Over the month of April we sold six times the monthly average of reusable bags that we were getting through last year,” said Raquel Solomon of Foster’s Food Fair.

Cayman wants to be green

Caymanian Compass

The vast majority of respondents in last week’s caycompass.com online poll say that when it comes to being green, they conserve but admit they could be “greener”.

Of the 297 respondents, 204 - or 68 per cent - when asked how green they were, answered that they conserved energy, but could do more for the environment.

One respondent boasted that he was greener than most of his neighbours, while another said: “I am very conservative, not wasteful. Re-use!”

One respondent echoed a sentiment often repeated in Cayman. “It would be helpful if there were more options here for recycling.”

Cayman Eco
is a non-profit group based in the Cayman Islands whose mission is to educate & motivate people of all ages to become more environmentally conscious.

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Daybreak host Cynthia Hew talks to Managing Editor Tammy Kelderman about the Cayman Eco newsletter and Earth Week activities.

Thanks to the
National Trust for the Cayman Islands for their continued support!

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