Recycling Facility “Will Not Close At This Time”

March 5, 2015

“The Ministry can advise the public that the facility will not close at this time and a more thorough review of our recycling operations will be undertaken,” Minister for Public Works Craig Cannonier said this evening [Mar 5], adding that the public “should continue to put their recyclables out for collection.”

This follows after the Minister’s statement yesterday in which he said he ”can confirm the suspension of operations at the Materials Recovery Facility [MRF],” saying the Plant “was one of the programs that was a part of a list of cost cutting measureds” and “is is not a money making entity and has not been running fiscally efficient for a number of years.”

However this evening, the Minister issued another statement which said, “No firm date on suspending operations at the MRF has been determined but there is a sense of urgency to better utilize the facility.”

“This is a great opportunity to study and determine the most efficient recycling methods for Bermuda and to focus on restructuring the MRF so that the process is sustainable and affordable, to better reflect this Government’s interest in an environmentally sustainable Bermuda.”

“The Government will work in collaboration with private and public sector stakeholders to develop a comprehensive recycling infrastructure,” continued the Minister.

“The Ministry can advise the public that the facility will not close at this time and a more thorough review of our recycling operations will be undertaken to ensure that everyone concerned has had the opportunity to be involved in the discussion.

“The public is advised that they should continue to put their recyclables out for collection,” added Minister Cannonier.

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Category: All, Environment, News, Politics

Comments (72)

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  1. Onion says:

    Foot. Mouth.

    • Bob says:

      It’s ok Craig’s a recycled MINISTER. I wonder if he knows the difference between a Recycled Minister and a puppet….hmmm

      • JAWS says:

        I really can’t fathom why Michael gave this Mr. Cannonier a minister seat over the other elected members that won their seats. Makes no sense.

      • frank says:

        This guy just loves to be used

    • Mockingjay says:

      I can officially say “Recycle Gate”

  2. biggadon says:

    I really have to laugh….this Govt really does such a great job of making themselves look bad….do they ever think anything through smh !

    • Longtaill says:

      Well, at least they didn’t actually close it.

      • Mockingjay says:

        Like they get a star or a smiley face on their test paper for that?
        Pathetic and Embarrassing.

  3. Baygrapes says:

    Good grief OBA….Can you please make up your mind.

    In case you have forgotten,which lately seems the case,YOU were elected to LEAD and GOVERN. Can you please put on your big boy pants and start doing what you were elected to do.

    Many of your supporters are fast losing patience,me included.

    • CBA says:

      This government is really nothing like I thought they would be. I supported them in the last election but have no reason to vote for them again. I won’t vote PLP either, so I guess that means staying home on election day.

      • Lois Frederick says:

        The info was leaked and they responded. Nothing has been decided yet.

      • Mockingjay says:

        @CBA, a no vote is a vote for the party that wins.

      • pabear says:

        no CBA you need to go to the polls and vote none of the above and so do the rest of us and when no party wins than you might see a change in these so call politician

  4. Family Man says:

    While I support this flip flop, the clear lack of any kind of thought that went into the original decision to close is truly frightening. This guy is running one of the largest departments in Government, in charge of multi-million dollar contracts. Given his history, you’d think he would put a little more fore-thought into his decisions.

    • Mockingjay says:

      I think they’ve secretly legislated the Medical Ganja Bill because ……hey I forgot what I was gonna say.

      • The Truth and Nothing but the Truth !! says:

        MUCH LIKE THE PLP, YES ??

  5. J Starling says:

    I am glad to hear that the Gov is making a u-turn on this and putting forward the potential for a wide-ranging review.

    Hopefully they’ll put the horse before the court the first time from now on…

  6. Alvin Williams says:

    Another Flip/flop on the part of this government; it’s just shows that this government governs by default and if the people of Bermuda don’t keep an eye on them; they will find this government making policy decisions that is not in their interests.

  7. Tom Cooke says:

    I voted OBA…but I gotta say I might change my mind as quick as they do… make a desicision and stick to it… for God’s sake….

  8. Bermuda123 says:

    Glad to see the change of view. This would be a retrograde step for Bermuda.

  9. somuchless says:

    From premier to minister to confused. Lol

  10. Cardine Alice says:

    Then why announce it? I am getting whiplash given the number of u-turns by government.

  11. San George says:

    This administration has too much uncertainty. Uncertainty equals risk. Do it or don’t – stop flip flopping. Reinstate the drop-off hours at the incinerator which will address the illegal dumping issue.

    Quo Fata Ferunt

  12. Born Bermudian says:

    Great Idea..
    Bad Idea..
    No Idea..

  13. Sky Pilot says:

    This is something that the Government should sell off to the Private Sector,who I’m sure will show a good profit and employ Bermudians that are in desperate need of employment.

    • Longtaill says:

      And you think people will still recycle? This needs to be kept free

      • Mockingjay says:

        I think they should Private Sector this confused ****** up Government.

        • Jus' Wonderin' says:

          still doin a whole lot better than your beloved plp ever did. couldn’t teach themselves outta kindergarten class lmfao

      • Sky Pilot says:

        yes they would because the Private Sector would offer incentives and many people would support it…ever heard of GREEN

      • iabingi says:

        Bottle bill ?

  14. Maddog says:

    The Oba must go!!!! They obviously don’t know what they are doing!!!!!

  15. Lick My Chicken says:

    This team flip flops so much they need to recruit flip flop furbert to join them.

  16. um um... says:

    So… recyclables on the street. Oops…back in the trash. Oops back to the street. Oops… is this even the odd week or is it the even week? I give up. Now where’s the cat?

    • Mockingjay says:

      It’s a Tropical Storm, no it’s a Hurricane, we’ll have a Referendum, no we won’t, Civil Servants wont loose their jobs, yes they will, it was 3 people on Jet Gate, no 4, We won’t have Exhibition, yes we will um no we won’t, Guest workers children can work here , no they cant.
      Just F!@#*** PATHETIC.
      And the award for the worst Governmentt. in Bermudas History goes to …………………………………………………….

      • Jus' Wonderin' says:

        no that actually goes to the plp wa ya dumb?!

  17. Lois Frederick says:

    Everyone is quick to criticise. The fact is this Govt. is having to make tough decisions like no Govt. has ever had to before in Bermuda’s history. I am glad they are going to do a review. This facility is ripe for privatisation and that would be a good thing rather that closing it down. Make it profitable and it will be sustainable. It is not at the moment.

    • Jones says:

      It’s not that everyone is quick to denounce the oba a$$$$. It’s the simple fact that every time they make a decision to go to war, they wave the little white flag and
      1)give in
      2)change their minds
      3)delay

      • iabingi says:

        Tell me, which succeeding Government won’t do the same ??

    • boogiedownproductions says:

      Lois Frederick how do u know its not profitable at this time.
      Or are you one of the intended friends and family that will be awarded the facility on privatisation?
      Ask the Finance Department to show us the taxpayers how much the facility brings to the coffers from recycling?

  18. jt says:

    Clear as mud.
    Must do better.

  19. naa says:

    naa bahhh. Just dump d bottles offshore in deep water, we already dump ferry’s. Whats the big deal? or even make the trash landfill. A car is metal just like the soda can.

  20. Never Never says:

    That’s right defend to the bitter end lololol hahahahaha this stuff is funny as hell who needs comic books SMDH Craig now I know they didn’t make a mistake when you got the kicka@@ the first time funny funny and you still make the big bucks hilarious

  21. Make a new plan Stan says:

    It’s 5:54am on March 6th 2015 as I am posting this……Am I the only one that notices a trend in the likes and dislikes in all the comments above “Lick My Chicken”?

    I personally would like to know how some of the “regular” commenters feel about this SUDDEN turn of events.

  22. Jus' Askin' says:

    I am happy to hear it will not close ;-)
    Now we need to really Recycle, Reduce & Reuse and not the OBA way :-D

  23. Thought better offit did you?…

  24. C James says:

    OK I’m seeing a pattern here:

    1. Government announces a cutback.
    2. People complain.
    3. Government backs down.
    4. Repeat until Bermuda cannot make CS payroll.
    5. CS wish they had taken the furlough day but its too late.
    6. Government shuts down.
    7. UK moves in – everyone with any money at all moves out.

    Wake up & smell the coffee people!

  25. Truth is killin' me... says:

    I’m seeing the patients run the asylum. When am I going to see true leaders step forward to run this country from both sides. Probably never in my lifetime!

  26. Y-Gurl says:

    This is a joke, they could better utilize the facility by having these people work more than a day a week, give them something else to do like making license plates, that entire facility is a waste of money and resources and could be contracted out in a heartbeat and could easily become a productive and valuable community asset if the W&E influence was removed.

  27. agatha christie says:

    At best bizarre, at worst idiotic …. how can anyone take them seriously – remember Lamb Foggo?

    • serengeti says:

      Who can forget Lambe Foggo? The part-time first aid post that gets used 7 times a day. When they tried to close it to stop wasting money the unions and QLQ went mad.

    • Mockingjay says:

      And the GP cars.

  28. Coffee says:

    Well you got what you voted for .. A Kangaroo Government !

    • Stone Thrower says:

      They inherited a mess and are trying to clean it up. The government is hemorrhaging money so they have to tackle each area individually, and the recycling facility is one of them.

  29. aceboy says:

    OBA: PLEASE get rid of Craig Cannonier. I am an firm OBA supporter but I am at a loss as to why you allowed this man back into a Ministry. You have simply given some fodder and ammunition for the PLP to criticize you.

    Get rid of him and get someone who is not tainted….no matter how little the taint may be. Any time I hear the man’s name I cringe.

  30. MoonShine says:

    I just threw it all in the trash. The truck has not been by since January…smh..

    If Tynes Bay shuts down soon..we know why!!!

    • Coffee says:

      Haven’t you seen huge blue bags being trucked to the east end ? The smoke stack at Tynes Bay hasn’t had a smoke in months , it I has been out of commission so long that domestic waste has reached a dizziying height coming out of a huge hole .

      I won’t to know where they are building the Bermuda Blue Mountain of trash !

  31. Bermuda says:

    Firstly, I am incredibly relieved that the recycling facility will not be closing and that Bermuda will not be taking a giant leap backwards. I am, however, very disappointed with the lack of forethought that went into the initial decision / press release in the first place. While I appreciate that Government has some very tough financial decisions to make, I remain shocked that suspending the Island’s only recycling facility without seemingly any form of consultation or proper financial analysis could have even been on the table in the first place.

    I also think that, while he might be a lovely man, it is probably time for Craig Cannonier to go. The unfortunate reality is that men like Stephen DeCosta latch on to those in positions of power that are too trusting, such as – it would seem – Mr. Cannonier, in order to manipulate the system for self-gain. We saw it first with Jetgate and then with the Hamilton Waterfront and, provided Mr. Cannonier maintains his position, who knows what will be next. These events have not only been embarrassing for Bermuda but, given that Mr. DeCosta is Craig Cannonier’s trusted advisor, such manipulations jeopardise his ability to make objective decisions that are in the best interests of Bermuda and her people which, given the current financial situation, is probably more important now than ever before.

    • iabingi says:

      After all this conversation the MRF still remains open and under utilized. Time to go to bed. Tomorrow is another day.

  32. ROGER LAMBERT says:

    SAD to hear of the “leaked” intention, then GLAD TO hear OF THE REVERSE decision. Govt. changes its mind AGAIN! For the bettering of the Environment some losses should be accepted & Recycling helps the environment in the long run. Educate the public from youngsters to Seniors continuously can help.