Minister Burch: ‘Please Stop Leaving Garbage at Bus Stops, Public Docks or School Dumpsters, It is Selfish!’

The Minister of Public Works has issued an all-out appeal for residents to stop dumping their trash in public places or taking it to the dump during lockdown.

Last week, Premier David Burt said the drop-off facility at Tynes Bay would be closed until April 18 for the two-week State of Emergency.

This week, Lieutenant Colonel David Burch said: “Please stop leaving garbage at bus stops, public docks or school dumpsters. It is selfish, inconsiderate, and irresponsible.

“Residents should not be travelling to the public drop off for any reason. Yet, there are those in the community making the trip, and worse, simply leaving their garbage at the locked gate.”

The Minister urged people to stick to the normal garbage collection schedule and place it on the kerbside before 7.30am on collection day.

“If you are late putting out your garbage, and all your neighbour’s trash has been collected, please do not continue to place it out for collection and later call Marsh Folly to complain your trash hasn’t been collected.

“In those circumstances, you must take it back home and store it in a lidded bin until your next scheduled collection day,” he said.

“In this period, when so many public services are curtailed, we are privileged Lthat our sanitation workers are out there every day doing their job to keep our island clean.

“I am asking that those who are doing this: cease and desist. You are breaking the law and quite simply disrespecting all our citizens who are doing their part.

“We are in a crisis and our efforts should be solely focused on stopping the spread of Covid-19 in Bermuda, not addressing other health issues and the irresponsible behaviour of a few,” said Colonel Burch.

“Please give a thought to your fellow Bermudians and a special thought to our sanitation workers who are doing the job many of us would never consider doing. On their behalf, I thank the majority of residents who are following the rules and responsibly disposing of their garbage.”

Anyone with information to help identify offenders should contact the education and enforcement officer at the Ministry of Public Works at 501-3114 or vfgordon@gov.bm.