feelings.

"Good, but could do better'' seems to be his verdict after his key role in setting up the blue bag system.

Canadian Mr. Dan Hoornweg leaves tomorrow with 10 months of his Works and Engineering contract to go.

He has a new job with the World Bank in Washington DC, helping to make sure loans to developing countries are environmentally friendly. "I couldn't say no to it,'' he said.

Mr. Hoornweg, 31, came to Bermuda in May, 1991 with his wife Sharon and soon became known as Government's "solid waste manager'', in charge of the recycling programme.

"It's not in full swing,'' he said. "I don't know if it ever will be. "It's under way and I guess the speed with which it moves is largely up to the public -- how much recyclables they put out and how enthusiastic they are.

"We need to get more people recycling, more businesses recycling and greater participation.

"We're not doing all that bad but there's a lot of room for improvement.

"People should be proud about how far they've come.'' A hazardous waste scheme had to be set up and more recycling containers were needed in parks and bus shelters.

"It just takes time,'' he said. "I'm fairly pleased with the way things have gone.

"There have been times when it's been frustrating, but it really is making a difference.

"The efforts that people are making really do add up, and recycling does make a lot of sense.

"Waste reduction makes a lot of sense. It costs taxpayers' money to burn or bury waste, so the better thing is not to produce it in the first place.'' Mr. Hoornweg defended Government's system, which sends aluminium, steel and white office paper overseas for recycling, while using newspaper for animal bedding or compost and glass for concrete or asphalt. Plastic is not recycled.

He said the system had been adapted to fit the Island. It made more financial sense to use glass locally.

"For the amount of money and effort that would have to go into recycling plastics, I don't know if that would be money well spent from an environmental point of view.

"I would prefer to see more emphasis on beer and soda cans and bottles.'' Some restaurants were still not participating in bottle and can recycling, and some offices were not doing an adequate job with white paper, he said.

Even Government was probably not doing enough in-house recycling, he added.

"But it's making a start. It's doing better than say The Royal Gazette , for example.'' Gazette general manager Mr. Keith Jensen said: "We continue to work with the Corporation of Hamilton on the collection of newsprint waste.

"Someone is to be appointed whose tasks will include setting up an office recycling system and ensuring its success.

"In the meantime a number of our staff are recycling white paper.''