The Bermuda Government will close the Material Recovery Facility for one year in an effort to reduce spending, according to Craig Cannonier, the Minister for Public Works.

Responding to reports of the suspension of service, Mr Cannonier said: “The Ministry of Public Works continues to work diligently at creating cost savings and fiscal efficiencies throughout the ministry in an effort to reduce the national deficit. As such, the ministry can confirm the suspension of operations at the Materials Recovery Facility [MRF].

“The MRF Recycling Plant was one of the programmes that was a part of a list of cost-cutting measures provided by the Government when furlough days were not an option,” Mr Cannonier said. “The MRF is not a money-making entity and has not been running fiscally efficient for a number of years.

“The ministry is continuing to seek ways to offer waste management services to the public given the various budget cuts necessary to reduce the national deficit.”

However, the minister emphasised that keeping people working is foremost. “The proposed closure of the MRF will allow us to do a thorough review of the facility and the staff employed there,” he said. “The ministry will be redeploying staff in other areas within the ministry.”