News

The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is excited to share the good news of the most recent addition to the heavy equipment fleet assigned to the Solid Waste Management section, more specifically to the team operating the George Town Landfill.

Minister of Health and Wellness, the Honourable Sabrina Turner visited the George Town landfill on Friday, May 12, 2023, for the formal hand-over of a new Bomag BC 972 RB-2 Refuse Compactor (2023) to the DEH. “I’m so happy for this opportunity. This new compactor is the end result when years of being asked for proper equipment are met with political will and management. People will soon see the positive impact that it will have on the day to day operations of the landfill until things change”, said Minister Turner.

DEH Director, Mr. Richard Simms welcomed the addition of this heavy equipment which will enhance the department disposal operations at the George Town Landfill. “We have been struggling with maintaining and keeping up our equipment for quite some time, so the receiving of this Bomag Compactor for the landfill is well received by the team. We are in a better position now to compact the garbage more effectively and reduce the potential of landfill fires. We will see some”, he said.

The new Bomag Landfill Refuse Compactor arrived on the island on April 13, 2023, was assembled on-site at the George Town Landfill, and went into operations early in May following the completion of training for the DEH’s operators.

The training was facilitated by local supplier Liftech and Bomag representative, Juergen Wagner from Germany, who provided operators with valuable information not only for safety and operational instruction but also for education on how the heavy equipment industry continues to grow and change. This instruction was both theoretical and hands-on so all involved had the opportunity to understand and operate this equipment. Both Liftech and Bomag will continue to support this acquisition through sales, service, parts and maintenance throughout its contract period.

The compactor acquired was ordered on July 26, 2022, at a cost of $735,815.74. Meanwhile, a new engine is currently being sorted to install in the old Al Jon 500 Compactor which will be placed back in operation as a backup unit.

The acquisition of the new Bomag Landfill Refuse Compactor, along with the new excavator received in September 2022, is a step forward to the enhancement of the George Town landfill operations.

Also present in the handing over of the equipment were the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Chief Officer, Ms. Nellie Pouchie; the Department of Vehicle & Equipment Services’ Director, Mr. Stephen Quinland; DEH’s Fleet and Equipment Manager, Mr. Mahipaul Persaud; DEH’s Solid Waste Landfill Supervisor, Mr. Mitchel Hurslton and a representative of Liftech.

For additional information, please contact the DEH at 949-6696, email us at dehcustomerservice@gov.ky, visit the DEH’s website at www.gov.ky/deh/ or message our Facebook page at https://bit.ly/3LEK55q