America’s Cup Bermuda applauds and encourages the public to get involved in Cleaning up for the Cup this weekend.

Island residents will have received a garbage bag in the mail, wrapped in a green printed sleeve with “Clean up for the Cup” written on it. These are to be used this weekend.

Mike Winfield, America’s Cup Bermuda chief executive officer, has expressed his thanks to Keep Bermuda Beautiful for their initiative.

“The thoughtful effort that KBB and its volunteers have put behind this island-wide clean up, to prepare our beautiful island home for the many visitors we expect during the 35th America’s Cup, is to be commended and encouraged,” he said.

“It is this kind of caring, community effort, where we all work together towards a common goal, that helps Bermuda succeed.

“We have seen this in numerous instances throughout the preparation and planning for Bermuda hosting this world-class sporting event, and we all appreciate KBB and other community groups getting behind the cause to make Bermuda look her best.”

There are two ways you can participate in the Clean Up for the Cup by individual action or as part of a team. KBB mailed one trash bag to every residential street address in Bermuda for you to use today or tomorrow.

“Simply fill up the special bag with litter from a street, a nearby park or a needy spot. When it is full, tie it shut and put it at the street for collection.

Governor John Rankin along with Government House staff will head out to Spanish Point Park to clean up any litter and assist the Parks Department’s efforts to make the area ready for public use.

This morning, both the Pembroke Rotary Club and St George’s Rotary Club members will tackle Ducking Stool on North Shore in Pembroke and Barry Road in St George’s, respectively. Members of the public are welcome to join these groups.

If you live in Hamilton Parish and want to join a group, they will be there at 9am today at either Shelly Bay or Duck’s Puddle and pick up supplies to use. There may also be a team to join at Bay Corner in Bailey’s Bay.

If you live in the West and want to join a team, go to Boaz Island at 10am today to help clean up the shoreline. Look for the KBB sign near the Boaz Island gas station, or call KBB on 799-5142 for details.

There will be a lot of effort to collect the debris by hired trucks so please make sure you place your filled bags in easily spotted locations by the side of the road. If you are cleaning up along the Railway Trail, bring the bag out to the intersection with a main road.

“Use your bag that came in the mail. If you did not receive one, use any trash bag you have, and if you can put glass bottles and metal cans into blue recycling bags too, that would be great,” Anne Hyde, executive director of KBB, said. “Take a little time this weekend to do this one small action.

“Fill one bag with litter. If thousands of people do this, our island will really be looking her best for America’s Cup and all the other great events that are headed our way.

If you are too busy this weekend, this is a call to action that you can take next week or beyond. Do your part. Let’s welcome the world and show off our island paradise.”