Keep Bermuda Beautiful is keeping a watchful eye on Government's new once-a-week-only garbage pick-ups, having received a slew of complaints from the public.

The president of the environmental and anti-litter group is worried the reduced service will result in widespread illegal dumping.

Mr. Barry Brewer, who is stepping down from the post this month, claimed yesterday that people were "throwing their garbage into the bushes'' rather than waiting a whole week before the trucks come around.

"This is happening a lot more,'' Mr. Brewer said. "We have had quite a few calls from people, and they generally feel the service should be increased.'' Mr. Brewer noted that the KBB hotline had also received reports of fridges and other appliances being dumped around the Island.

As a result he said KBB would be pushing hard for Government to go ahead with what has become an annual "spring pick-up'' of such items. It usually takes place in February, he pointed out, but so far there has been no word from the Works Ministry.

Mr. Brewer was, however, pleased with the recycling part of the new system. He pointed out that latest figures showed 50 percent of the Island's residents were separating their recyclables and putting them out on the roadside in the special blue bags.

Mr. Brewer said he understood the reduced service was partly due to budget constraints and time was needed to work out any teething problems. But if the public did not catch onto the idea soon, KBB would have to take action.

"I think we should allow for some adjustment period -- say about three to six months -- but if the problem continues we will have to make our own recommendations and lobby for what we think is right,'' he said.

Mr. Brewer announced on the weekend that he would be handing over the reins to a new leader at KBB's annual general meeting next Monday. A new slate of executive committee officers will also be elected on that date.

During his two-year term as president Mr. Brewer has expanded KBB's role from litter prevention to environmental protection.

Other important achievements include involving young people and opening a head office with a full-time employee and computer system.

Mr. Brewer said the office was key to his plan of getting as many people as possible involved in KBB.

Also during his tenor, the shipping executive has seen the Rock Watcher programme grow into the thousands.

There are now more than 3,000 student Rock Watcher members and a number of them will be recognised at the AGM for their efforts at keeping "a piece of the rock'' litter free.

Mr. Brewer said he was stepping down to give other KBB members the opportunity to move up the ranks. He said he also had growing work and family commitments.

"The past two years have been both exciting and challenging and while I feel I have helped to position KBB as a progressive, younger group there is so much still to be done. I look forward to seeing KBB continue to move forward through the 1990s and diversify into environmental initiatives which are not necessarily only litter related.'' Mr. Brewer said he would like to see the new president continue KBB's environmental and litter education efforts, placing the emphasis on re-using and reducing and recycling.

MR. BARRY BREWER -- stepping soen as president of KBB.