Dispose of your holiday trash properly

The aftermath of Christmas generosity often leaves the trash cans in your yard bulging will all manner of packaging and debris — not to mention the junk you decided to throw out before the New Year. 

And if the trash man is not due for a day or so, some householders can’t the temptation to go out and dump items wherever they please.

Illegal dumping is on the rise in Bermuda so here is a breakdown of what you should do with your trash to stay on the right side of the environment and the law.

What should I recycle?

The curbside recycling programme offers free, bi-weekly, collection of tin aluminium and glass. The materials, which include baking pans, should be placed in a blue bag. Or you can take your tin, aluminium and glass to the Tynes Bay Public Drop-Off.

When is Tynes Bay open?

Weekdays from 9am to 6pm, Saturdays 7am to 7pm, Sundays 1pm to 6pm.

What should I do with my Christmas tree?

Christmas trees should be put out for collection on January 22 if you live in the East End and January 29 if you live in the West End. All trees are composted so tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree bags should be removed.

What should I take to the facility near the airport?

All construction debris and metal bulky waste items such as cars and white goods (e.g. refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers) are disposed of at the Airport Waste Management Facility.
While objects like vehicle batteries and air conditioners can be deposited at the site but are moved to the Material Recovery Facility in Hamilton parish.

When is it open?

It is open Monday to Saturday 7:30am to 7:30pm during daylight saving time. While between November and March it is open Monday to Saturday between 7:30am and 4pm. It is closed on Sundays.

How can I get rid of bulky household items and metals?

If you need to dispose of household bulky waste items, metal or otherwise, Public Works offers a free collection service. Call 292-1517 to find out how to have your bulky items collected for free.

What items should I keep out of my household waste?

Compact fluorescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes, household batteries, vehicle batteries, PVC pipes, used motor oils, used paint cans, pesticides, acids caustics and pool cleaners.

What should I do with items containing hazard warning labels?

They can be taken to the Tynes Bay public drop-off centre and deposited in specially marked areas. There are also two “Special Waste” drop off events per year at Tynes Bay in May and November.

How can I recycle my mobile phone or other E-waste?

You can deposit cellphones and cellphone batteries in recycling tubes located at all cell phone providers islandwide. Or you can bring recyclables to Material Recovery Facility in Hamilton parish by appointment, [email protected] or call 501- 3024. The final option is to participate in E-Waste Recycling Days. To find out more email [email protected] or call 501-30243

What happens to our E-waste?

Bermuda’s cellphones, cellphone batteries and other E-Waste are shipped to a state-of-the-art recycling facility in Philadelphia that meets all regulatory standards set by the US EPA providing a clean environment for its workers.
All metal and plastic components are shredded for the recycling market.
No e-waste from Bermuda will end-up in landfills in other countries.