By John Denny

Observer Reporter

(Charlestown, Nevis) – For the 18th year in a row, groups of people from all walks of life spread out across the beaches of Nevis and picked up garbage in an effort to make the island more beautiful.

The event, held Sept. 20, bagged at least 5,000 pounds of litter, according to organizer Miriam Knorr.

“We were very pleased with the turnout,” said Mrs. Knorr. “We had a lot of youth groups and individuals participating at 20 sites around the island. One site was rained out, but we plan to go back out this weekend and do some more.”

Most of the trash was not washed up, but left there by the very people who go to enjoy the beach.

“Behind every piece of litter is a face, so think before you throw,” she said.

One of the worst beaches for litter is, unfortunately, the one that is potentially the most beautiful: Herbert’s Beach.

“The group that went to Herbert’s Beach filled 60 giant bags, but they could have filled at least twice that many,” said Mrs. Knorr. “We need to do three things on Nevis to get this under control: first we need to put trash bins at the beaches; second, we need to educate people about why they shouldn’t litter and third, the police need to start fining people who litter.”

The strangest thing that was found was a paddle boat, but the most common was plastic bottles of which 2,437 were collected. Some other items that were in abundance were bags drugs had been packaged in, condoms and diapers.

Sand Crab Hole Beach, also known as Pizza Beach, was another bad spot, she said, with much of that trash being outboard motor oil bottles.