Minister Burch On Community Clean-Up Day

The Ministry of Public Works in partnership with Keep Bermuda Beautiful  have planned a series of initiatives to incentivise members of the public to safely dispose of their waste, Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch said.

Speaking in the House of Assembly today [Dec 13] the Minister said, ”We are now in the final month of the year and will soon see the start of 2020. I don’t know about you, but I would rather enter the New Year with Bermuda looking its very best.

“With that goal in mind Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Public Works in partnership with Keep Bermuda Beautiful – have planned a series of initiatives to incentivise members of the public to safely dispose of their waste.

“Starting last weekend [6 and 7 of December], we held an electronic waste or e-waste recycling drive to encourage the safe and responsible disposal of old laptops, computers, cable boxes, cell phones and other electronic devices, by delivering them to the Tynes Bay Waste To Energy Facility for recycling.

“Following that drive, the Ministry of Public Works and Keep Bermuda Beautiful partnership is holding a two-day weekend horticultural community clean-up to remove the final remnants of horticultural waste scattered around our island.

“The event is to be held this weekend on the 14 and 15 of December, from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm each day. We are inviting members of the public to dispose of all horticultural waste by delivering it to the Marsh Folly Composting Facility for processing.

“Following these two initiatives and as we enter the New Year, we will hold a bulky waste collection day and of course the customary Christmas tree collection. For all of these initiatives, the Ministry will waive the associated tipping fees.”

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Good Morning Mr. Speaker.

You will remember this past September, Bermuda endured nature’s wrath in the form of Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Jerry. To this day, remnants of that encounter in the form of tree limbs, stumps, leaves, and other horticultural waste remain a blight on the Bermuda landscape.

Mr. Speaker, we are now in the final month of the year and will soon see the start of 2020. I don’t know about you, but I would rather enter the New Year with Bermuda looking its very best.

With that goal in mind Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Public Works in partnership with Keep Bermuda Beautiful – have planned a series of initiatives to incentivise members of the public to safely dispose of their waste.

Starting last weekend [6 and 7 of December], we held an electronic waste or e-waste recycling drive to encourage the safe and responsible disposal of old laptops, computers, cable boxes, cell phones and other electronic devices, by delivering them to the Tynes Bay Waste To Energy Facility for recycling.

Mr. Speaker, you will know that E-waste added to landfills or otherwise incorrectly disposed of – causes all sorts of problems – leaches toxic substances, including lead, mercury, cadmium, polyvinyl chloride, and chromium into the earth, polluting the soil, groundwater, and the air. The responsible disposal of e-waste helps protect our environment and keeps Bermuda safe and beautiful for all.

Mr. Speaker, following that drive, the Ministry of Public Works and Keep Bermuda Beautiful partnership is holding a two-day weekend horticultural community clean-up to remove the final remnants of horticultural waste scattered around our island.

The event is to be held this weekend on the 14 and 15 of December, from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm each day. We are inviting members of the public to dispose of all horticultural waste by delivering it to the Marsh Folly Composting Facility for processing.

Following these two initiatives and as we enter the New Year, we will hold a bulky waste collection day and of course the customary Christmas tree collection. For all of these initiatives, the Ministry will waive the associated tipping fees.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that everyone encourage their family, friends, and neighbours, and let’s do something good in our own neighbourhoods. We can all work together to get and keep Bermuda clean!”

Mr. Speaker, as I conclude, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my colleague, the Hon. Zane DeSilva, Minister of Tourism and Transport for supporting these initiatives by waiving trucking permits fees for Sunday December 8 and 15, as well as January 12 and 25.

Mr. Speaker, I am certain that we can collectively make our country the clean and pristine place we are used to if each of us donates a few hours to help in our own neighbourhoods.

Thank you Mr. Speaker!

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Category: All, Environment