Basseterre, St. Kitts (June 28, 2007): Residents of St. Kitts and Nevis are being encouraged to keep beaches clean.
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This was the advice given by Mr. Andy Blanchette Conservation Officer in the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Environment. He emphasized that whenever one visits the beach, whatever is taken there should also be carried away by the same individual at the end of the visit.
The Conservation Officer went on to explain that there are two types of debris found on beaches. The previously mentioned category which consists of trash left by beachgoers as well as debris washed ashore from the sea.
Mr. Blanchette, who is also the Coordinator of the National Beach Clean Up, explained that each year the Ocean Conservancy spearheads an International Coastal Clean Up Day which falls on September 15. Volunteers will therefore be encouraged to remove trash and debris from beaches and other waterways such as lakes and streams all over the world.
The Beach Clean Up Coordinator said that in the Federation, the targeted area for the clean up is the beaches.
He said that his department chiefly seeks the assistance of high school and Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College students. Fourth and fifth form students who take the subjec0ts of geography and social studies are particularly targeted, especially geography students whose syllabus contained a component on pollution. Locally, due to the numerous activities undertaken by the schools in celebration of Independence, it was decided to conduct this year’s national clean up on September 28.
Mr. Blanchette elaborated that volunteers do not have to be limited to students but that members of the general public who are interested in assisting on September 28 can contact the Department of Environment at 465-2277. Special acknowledgement was made of the Ross University students who he explained have adopted the Keys – Conaree Beach which is cleaned several times throughout the year.
While this year’s beaches for clean up have not been confirmed, Mr. Blanchette said that it was possible that like last year, they would be in the Sandy Point and Dieppe Bay areas.~~Adz:Right~~
The Beach Clean Up Coordinator explained that prior to going out on the beach, the student volunteers are briefed on their task. When they arrive at the designated beach, they are given latex gloves and placed into small groups to facilitate the categorizing of the trash.
Categories include plastic bottles, glass bottles, plastic bottle caps, plastic plates and paper plates. The categories of garbage are then placed in garbage bags and individually weighed. Each group records the information on data sheets which are then compiled and summarized. Last year, arrangements were made with the Solid Waste Management Corporation and a private waste disposal company that operates in the Sandy Point area, to voluntarily dispose of the collected garbage.
In addition to expressing thanks to the waste disposal companies, Mr. Blanchette also thanked the various businesses in the Basseterre who supplied garbage disposal aides, snacks and drinks as well monetary contributions.
Coordinator Blanchette said that in addition to learning the various categories of garbage and receiving assistance for their school based assessments, the beach cleaning exercise served as an education in care of the environment and the preservation of the tourism product.
