scheme.

Everyone interviewed in a street poll yesterday backed the recycling scheme which started on Monday.

But around 25 percent of those interviewed were still unhappy about the collections changing from twice a week to weekly.

Works Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira said his department had been inundated with calls about the new scheme. But he stressed the calls, coming into the office at a rate of 200 a day, have been mainly positive and not complaints.

Many people have already shown their support by recycling their waste already during the first two days of the programme.

In Hamilton yesterday, people had mixed feelings about the way the scheme was being run. Mr. Steve Lake, of Southampton, said: "It's unfortunate that they have introduced the weekly collection at the same time as the recycling.

"There is some opposition to the once-a-week collection and it reflects badly on the recycling, which is very good.'' Warwick mother Mrs. Jennifer Burgess said: "I still like the old method of collecting twice a week but I think its nice that they want to recycle.'' But most people believed the weekly collections will cause them no great hardship or, like Mrs. Margaret Pacheco, of Pembroke, said it is something they will just have to get used to.

And businessman Mr. Bernd Fretwurst, of Hamilton Parish, said: "I think we will get used to it. A lot of money can be saved by cutting back collections to once a week.'' Recycling was a new thing for Mrs. Lanel Johnston, of Paget. She said: "I think its a good idea because it's for the environment. Though I think it is going to be a while before everyone in Bermuda joins in.'' But it has been a way of life for Mrs. Mary Sumpter of Smith's Parish. Mrs.

Sumpter has recycled since it was a necessity in the Second World War. Living in Bermuda for the past 46 years, she said: "I have always saved jam jars for home-made jam.

"I will now use the blue bags. It will be a lot easier than taking it all down to the recycling centre if they are coming to my door.'' Mr. Troy Baisden, of Pembroke, was also an old hand at recycling, having experience of the system at his workplace, BELCO. He said: "I will now recycle at home, because I think it's a good idea.

"It will take a while for people in Bermuda to start to recycle because they are set in their ways but I am sure they will get involved.'' Agreeing Bermudians will take time to recycle their waste, Mrs. Kathy Anne Woodley, of Devonshire, believed they would embrace the scheme once it got off the ground.

Mrs. Lesley Bowers, of St. David's, had already been going a stage further than the Government scheme. Mrs. Bowers has always split recyclables and non-recyclables. She said: "It will be no big deal for me.'' Husband and wife Mr. David and Mrs. Linda Corday, of Pembroke West, were suprised that recycling was necessary at all after they were brought up to burn their waste.

But Mrs. Corday said: "These days it would mean fires all over the Island so I think it is a good idea to start looking to the future making the world a better place for our children.'' And Ms Delma Parfitt, of Sandys Parish, said: "Of course it is a good idea.

It is never too late to start something like this.'' Works Department Solid Waste Manager, Mr. Dan Hoornweg said the survey backed the feedback the Government has been getting from the general public in Bermuda.

"People are supporting the scheme,'' he said.

Dr. Terceira said the first two days of the recycling programme were a success with more recyclables collected yesterday than in some weeks in the past.

But some people have put their bags on the wrong day, despite leaflets being sent out telling people about the change.

Mr. Steve Lake Mrs. Jennifer Burgess Mrs. Lantel Johnston Mrs. Mary Sumpter Mr. Troy Baisden.