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The years come and go. At the very least, when it comes to evoking such simple notions as civic-mindedness and respect for the environment. Thus, on Sunday October 20, the now traditional island-wide clean-up operation organized by the Rotary Club, in partnership with the Lions Club, once again revealed the lack of interest shown by some Saint-Barth residents in keeping the island clean. Too abstruse a concept, no doubt.
On Sunday, from 7 a.m. until late morning, over 180 volunteers took part in the Rotary "Clean Up". From one end of the island to the other, they collected 2.68 tonnes of various types of garbage. And some of the finds surprised and dismayed the Sunday cleaners.
Among the garbage and objects found by the roadside or in the wild were tires, vehicle batteries, cables, metal poles, two-wheeler helmets, sections of wire mesh, sheet metal, as well as countless items of packaging, glass and plastic bottles. In short, more than enough to fill the fifteen lorries involved in the collection scheme initiated by private individuals.
All the objects and garbage collected were taken throughout the morning to the Paprec sorting center in Public. Participants then gathered for a barbecue at the Saint-Barth Yacht Club. Among the volunteers eager to take part in the pre-season clean-up were a team from Gustavia's Carl Gustaf hotel, as well as adults and children. Like Mila, Preston and Jules, all schoolchildren, who set about ridding the Saline district of all the rubbish abandoned in nature. "We have to take care of the island," says Mila, while Preston assures us: "The smallest gesture can have consequences. "An enlightened conscience that doesn't seem to animate the minds of some of the island's residents. As a result, the Rotary Club's annual "Clean Up" event looks set to continue.
