Residential trash collection is being offered by a local service for just $9 a week in a move aimed at supplementing the government’s once a week free collection.

Kenten Trott said the service is being offered in the eastern parishes – Hamilton Parish, Smith’s and St George’s including St David’s – at present.

Mr Trott’s business Secure BDA aims to collect directly from people’s homes up to 48 gallons or three trash bags on an annual, quarterly or monthly basis.

A social media advertisement on Tuesday led to immediate interest, including from those asking when it will be available in the western parishes.

It is being offered by a company that wants to provide as many necessary services for the home as possible.

Secure BDA’s website proposes to help secure, maintain and protect home and family.

They provide security assessments, property management, residential security solutions, maintenance/landscaping, general trucking and now, garbage collection.

Mr Trott definitely knows about security. In his day job, he is called Inspector Kenten Trott with the Bermuda Police Service.

What gave him the idea?

“I was pulling my trash can over the hill to the spot for my once a week collection in St. George’s. It hit a rock and fell over and a bunch of rats came running out. I was like: no, no, no, no!

“I just couldn’t believe it.”

He said: “But I want my company to be the one you call for anything home-related. I’m not a professional electrician, nor a plumber. But there are people I work with who are – very solid professionals who I vouch for.

“My family of four can do with a second day of garbage collection, so I know other families can, as well.

“When I told people that I was going to start taking my trash to the ‘dump’ myself on a weekly basis Monday or Tuesday, and let the government still collect on Friday, the response was interesting and overwhelming. I understood their pain. I want to offer solutions.”

He added: “I’m a government worker and so I have nothing bad to say against the government. But there are times when the trash doesn’t get collected at the appointed time. Our trash has sometimes been there since Friday, all the way to Monday.

“So, there’s work that needs to be done. I have equipment availability and people I work with who can help out.

“Some people have trouble getting their trash to designated pick up spots. Part of the service for us would be coming to someone’s yard, if necessary. Sometimes the trash truck can’t get that close to the home.

“For example, my mom has to walk up two hills to get to the designated drop-off spot. It’s a bit of a walk. She’s not the only one inconvenienced.

“This is where the idea came from – solving the problem of taking excess garbage to the waste drop-off facility. Trash is a messy business, especially because there really are rats.”

He said the pandemic had kept more people at home. He has read it has meant more residential trash. He believes some people shy away from transporting waste in the same car used to carry their children, pets and food.

His service will dispose of East End garbage on Monday afternoons, because of the volume generated on weekends. It includes collection of up to three trash bags (48 gallons) per residence.

“With the interest I’ve received thus far, I think this could work. And to avoid hurting anyone in the pocket, I’ve kept it under $10 a week. ”Those signing up for only one month of course, I may have to charge a little more. But I think most people will sign up for longer. I needed to price according to the number of customers I would need to make it viable.

“We will need to work with the homeowners to determine where the pick-up spot will be.

“We think there will also be those who want us to provide trash cans in the future. We want to look at all of these things. The right cans will keep the rats away.”

Mr Trott can be reached at 333-2345.