Organisers of the Catlin Bermuda End-to-End have joined forces with environmental groups in recognising Earth Day and vowed action to combat litter on the Island.

End-to-End, 21 years strong, is the Island's foremost charitable event. It sees about 3,000 supporters walk, row, swim or cycle their way across the Island raising tens of thousands of dollars for charities.

Last year, End-to-End raised $250,000. This year's event will take place on Saturday, May 3.

End-to-End Committee chair Anne Mello yesterday urged participants to bring their own water bottles to avoid litter.

She said: "The participants who take part in this event by moving at a slower pace along our roadways, waterways and the Railway Trail, can clearly see the increasing problems created by litter.

"We have decided to do everything possible to ensure our event does not add to this problem, by launching our 'Bring Your Own Bottle' initiative."

Event organisers teamed up with various sponsors and the Parks Department, Greenrock, Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB) and Pure Water Ltd. to come up with an alternative to individuals using disposable water bottles.

Mrs Mellow estimated that 15,000 water bottles were handed out last year.

Instead, next month, each participant will be given special, refillable water bottles, which they'll receive upon registering.

"Throughout the years, the End-to-End has endeavoured to minimise its impact on the environment," she added.

"This was an easier task back in 1987 when the event began because we only had 186 participants.

"They were all walkers, there were only a few water stops and all participants received water in paper cups. Since that time many of our sponsors have offered water to participants in individual bottles, which of course, was a very welcomed convenience.

"However, what became a convenience has now become a major concern in terms of the litter it creates.

"In addition, our numbers have increased significantly. This year we estimate we will have more than 3,000 participants."

If the norm for water bottles being handed out were to continue this year — it would generate more than 60,000 plastic water bottles, she noted.

"Because of the generosity of Pure Water," she continued, "each of our water stops this year will be equipped with five-gallon water containers with an easy-to-use mechanism for refilling the bottles."

Andrew Vaucrosson, president of Greenrock, an environmental awareness group, said the initiative serves as a demonstration that waste reduction can be achieved.

He stated: "One of the challenges in Bermuda is to try to minimise our consumption and this initiative is a very big step toward demonstrating that it can be done, from a sporting perspective as well as from a day-to-day perspective.

"We encourage people to visit our website at www.greenrock.org to learn more about how you can find reusable containers. It has all sorts of tips and advice and we encourage all of our Greenrock members to get involved."

Meanwhile KBB executive director Richard Lathan added: "KBB is always pleased to be a part of any event that will encourage more 'greenness' in the community.

"We are happy that 3,000 people will be joining this End-to-End walk and doing their best to Keep Bermuda Beautiful and we will support the End-to-End."

Bermuda End-to-End was born out of a wager between three employees from the insurance industry. Since then, the tradition has continued.

It is now called the Catlin End-to-End after reinsurer Catlin Insurance Company Limited signed a three-year agreement to be the prime sponsor, cementing the event's relationship with the reinsurance sector.

Earth Day, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, was started as a grass-roots movement in 1970 at a time when "rivers caught fire and cities were hidden under dense clouds of smoke".

Since then it has evolved into a global observance and much progress has been made in protecting human health and safeguarding the environment.

For more information on the event such as registering and pledging, visit www.bermudaendtoend.bm.

Additionally, during the week of April 28 to May 2, there will be a site available in Hamilton where face-to-face registration can take place and goody bags and event numbers will be available.