rubbish flooding onto the streets.

That was the message from Keep Bermuda Beautiful president Scott Kitson as he addressed Hamilton Lions on the true state of the Island's trash problem.

The only way to stop people littering the Island was to shame them into thinking twice about doing it in the future, he said.

That meant approaching those who had just dropped trash or reporting them to the authorities or publicising the number plate of their car, for example, for those who drop litter from their vehicles.

"The damage done by litter to our environment and wildlife is staggering,'' he said.

"Additionally, litter poses a threat to tourism. For years we have benefited from the perception that Bermuda is clean. Unfortunately the reality is that we can only keep our litter buried in the trees and bushes for so long before it overflows into the more visible areas of our habitat.'' Mr. Kitson said the damage done to the Island's biodiversity was evident during KBB's recent Marine and Coastal clean-up event.

At Devonshire Bay Park, for example, he said two truck loads of trash picked up consisted entirely of plastic food wrappers and beverage containers, that could have easily been disposed of in bins close by.

"The mind boggles at the thought, did they just forget to clean up after themselves or did they think they were keeping someone in a job? How much effort would it have taken to dispose of their refuse properly.'' He said the common denominator in most litterings was the fact the people didn't know any better or didn't care enough to do what they know is right.

"On many occasions I have stopped someone who has left their wrapper and asked if they would please throw it in the trash can.

"I firmly believe the embarrassment that an individual faces is likely to be a more effective force for change in their future behaviour than other methods.

"I make a plea to each and everyone of you to make Keep Bermuda Beautiful a commitment. The next time you see someone walk away from an empty can or leave behind their food wrapper, stop them and point out they left something behind.'' In addition he said there was also a major problem with trash left out for the refuse collectors that was blown about.

"A major contributor to roadside litter is windblown debris from trash left for collection, but is either improperly bagged or put out too early.

"Stray animals and the elements can turn your trash into litter that ends up on our streets, in the bushes and in our waters. By taking the time and effort to dispose of rubbish in proper receptacles and at the right time, this can be eradicated.'' Anyone who would like more information about KBB should call 295-5142.

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