BERMUDA: Throw your trash out properly, Minister warns

Employees at Bermuda's Ministry of Works and Engineering have expressed concern about the dangers their colleagues are facing due to irresponsible disposal of waste.

Those working in the Solid Waste Section highlighted specific problems such as waste items that damage disposal equipment and residential waste - including animal and even human feces.

The public, haulers and contractors who deliver horticultural waste to the Marsh Folly waste facility have been including hard, sometimes metal objects, which are damaging grinding equipment and even causing injuries to staff, a press release from the Ministry stated.

Residential waste collectors have complained of sharp metal objects, liquids, shards of glass and feces being disposed of improperly.

Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess urged people to dispose of their trash properly.

He said: "We call upon the public to do its part to assist these workers in the discharge of their responsibilities.

"Members of the public will be aware that all of these materials pose threats of injury and infection to our staff."

Information about how and when to dispose of waste is available in the blue "Waste Calendar" and the "What Goes Where" pages of the telephone directory, while the Ministry mails the waste calendar out to homes annually.

Home owners are encouraged to contact our Waste Management Office at 297-7953 if they are unsure about proper disposal procedures.

Meanwhile, Mr. Burgess also announced that the asbestos had been fully removed from the former Club Med building in St. George's.

The waste is now in storage at the Government Quarry.