States to be destroyed.

Chemicals, solvents, glues, pesticides and paints have been stockpiled in various sites around the Island for years.

Bermuda has never had the facilities to get rid of the toxic trash.

At the end of this month, a team of US experts will arrive here to assess the problem before arranging for the waste to be removed.

Waste control officer Mr. John Odisio is hoping people will use hazardous waste drop-off points to help with the clean up.

"None of this material can be treated here. We do not have the capability in Bermuda,'' he said. "It has been here years and years. There is material which is at least 20 years old sitting around in some areas.'' Identifying the Botanical Gardens and the Government Quarry at Castle Harbour as areas with large caches of hazardous waste, Mr. Odisio said: "Generally around the Island there are a number of locations where waste has been accumulated over many years.

"When the Department of Agriculture bans pesticides they are taken to the Botanical Gardens and placed in safe containers. They are stored until they can be handled and disposed of properly.

"The Government Quarry at Castle Harbour has some waste which has been taken out by people like the Fire Service. Unfortunately, this has not been properly regulated at the site and some of the containers have deteriorated over the years.

"In some cases there is waste from laboratories in schools and the Bermuda College.'' The experts from Republic Environmental in the States will signal the start of the clean-up. They will tour the Island's dump sites giving advice on how the waste should be prepared and packaged for transport back to America.

Mr. Odisio said: "There are different ways to dispose of the waste. Some can be burned, other waste must be incinerated at high temperatures in special incinerators. In some cases, acids can be mixed with another substance to neutralise them both. And some things can be recycled.'' He stressed that while much of the waste materials to be removed are former industrial and agricultural products, domestic waste will be welcomed during the two day drop off period.

Devon Springs Recycling Centre, close to St. Brendan's Hospital, will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, July 1 and Saturday July 2.

Household hazardous products include paints, thinners, solvents, motor oil, swimming pool chemicals, household cleaners, moth balls, brake fluid, polishes, pesticides, fluorescent tubes and mercury thermometers.

The waste should be kept in original or marked containers and covered so they do not tip over or mix together.

Companies are invited to dump car parts, adhesives, chemicals, hydroxides, acids and mercury. Both will be free of charge.

Mr. Odisio said: "People with large amounts of waste, in amounts over 50 gallons, should make arrangements to deliver it to us at Sally Port, where there is a storage area for hazardous waste.'' Businesses with large quantities of waste should contact Mr. Odisio on 297-7794, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.