Approximately 180 derelict vehicles were collected and transported off Virgin Gorda in a continued effort to clean up the Virgin Islands.

The derelict collection operation took place on April 5 to April 7 in collaboration with the Recovery and Development Agency.

Manager of the Department of Waste Management, Mr. Greg Massicote stated that this is all a part of the overall goal of cleaning the Territory especially post the 2017 disasters that left the unmanageable task of collecting and disposing of bulky waste, debris and derelicts.

“We began crushing cars and metals in late 2018 in Tortola and had Virgin Gorda on the schedule but were met with some delays from other events taking place such as the fire at the incinerator to name a few,” Mr. Massicote said.

He added that he is grateful that the majority of derelicts stored for some time on Virgin Gorda are now off the island.

He said, “We understand the climate we are in as far as revamping and finding alternative methods to manage our waste and I continue to thank Mr. Ricky Flax, ENS Trucking, Tortola Concrete Products, the RDA, my staff and all other parties involved for their efforts to make this derelict collection a reality.”

The derelicts were transported on a barge to Tortola to be processed for deportation in the near future.  In March 2019, approximately 1700 tons of scrap metal which also included scrap metal from Cox Heath and approximately 600 derelict vehicles were exported to Columbia for recycling.

The Department of Waste Management in collaboration with the RDA will be conducting a massive derelict vehicle collection initiative on the island of Virgin Gorda during the next few days.  The initiative will also include the barging of the remainder of derelict vehicles to Tortola for processing and eventual exportation.

The Department of Waste Management remains committed to enhancing the natural beauty of the Territory by utilising state of the art waste management technology to ensure timely collection, disposal and where possible, recycling of waste.