Abandoned garbage on a beach in Grand Cayman.

The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is warning the public that it is an offence to litter. The DEH said there is an increase in the amount of roadway litter.

“The DEH has noticed an increase in litter along the roadsides, especially on the new east to west bypass,” said Director Roydell Carter. “We are asking for assistance from the public in keeping our streets clean.”

Convictions under the Litter Law can result in $500 fines and/or imprisonment.

It is stressed hat the public should refrain from throwing garbage out of their cars and on the ground if they are at the beach or at a recreational activity. This past long weekend was a prime example of that when one could see the garbage left behind on beaches around the islands by camping families.

The garbage problem is widespread through Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. The environmental concerns range from unsightly, to harbouring rats and flies, which in turn can spread diseases.

A majority of litter takes very long to decompose, meaning that they stay in the environment for a long time. Paper and Styrofoam containers, metals, plastic, and shopping or paper bags are examples of these.

Litter possesses a danger to wildlife in the Cayman Islands. Small items are mistaken for food and are eaten by birds, lizards and iguanas.

Plastic bags are blown into the sea and mistaken by sea turtles for food, such as jellyfish. The plastic rings from six-packs can strangle fishes and birds.

When asked what measures are in place to remedy the situation, the DEH reminded people of a roadside litter collection team that every month cleans each district, and cleans downtown in the mornings.

Tania Johnson, the Public Education and Promotions Officer, conducts school presentation on Environmental Awareness and the problem of littering to school children.

Garbage containers are placed in popular public spaces around the three islands.

The specific areas you can notice the problems are along the roadways. Remote areas such as Barker National Park are always targets for illegal dumping of large materials such as furniture, appliances and yard waste; also near fast food places, and around bars.

Clearly the problem of littering would be much worst if the Department of Health (DEH) didn’t have litter collection teams to clean the roadways each month.

“We can all do our part, and that includes reporting littering to the police,” said Mr Carter.