Environmental charity Keep Bermuda Beautiful has been given a $60,000 boost from the Ministry of Public Works.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, Minister of Public Works, said Government had committed to support the charity’s work through an annual grant until at least 2020.

Colonel Burch said: “Everyone in this community will know that this year has been a particularly challenging one with waste management — so quite simply we in the Ministry need all the help we can get.

“So it was a very easy decision for me to approve the reinstatement of KBB grant funding that had been suspended in 2014.”

He added: “Keep Bermuda Beautiful, more commonly known to most as the KBB has been doing an outstanding job trying to keep our island free of litter, garbage and waste for more than fifty years.

“However, they do so much more than that, their youth programme, is another where they provide classroom and assembly presentations in our schools, educating on the dangers that trash and marine debris are having on our environment.

“The KBB After School Hour provides our young people with required service hours and allows them to work towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award, while cultivating a generation that will keep our environment clean, healthy and safe.”

Colonel Burch also praised the charity’s “Adopt-a-Spot” initiative, which encourages people and organisations to adopt an area and keep it tidy.

He also said the charity had organised more than 300 cleanups since 2016 — including last Saturday’s International Coast Cleanup.

Colonel Burch said: “The results of these cleanups are quite impressive and our railway trails have been one benefactor of this effort.

“Along with other agencies and researchers, KBB collects data on the marine pollution problem and this information is shared globally to assist other jurisdictions in the ongoing effort to save our environment.

“As some of you may be aware, it is my mission to have all of us actively play our part in reducing our waste, litter, to reuse and recycle — all initiatives that the KBB has been at the forefront of.”

Colonel Burch said the Ministry will meet with the charity to find ways to improve co-operation beyond grant funding.

As such, he said he was pleased to reinstate the Government’s annual funding to the tune of $60,000.

“We have committed to continue this funding through 2020,” said Colonel Burch.

“I am certain that any future government will see the extreme value of supporting such a worthwhile cause and continue funding beyond then.”

  • Photos Courtesy of DCI: Minister Burch, Waste Management Manager Clarkston Trott and KBB Board Members Anny Hyde, Amy Shillingford, Roger Todd, Ashley Harris, Susan Black, Sian Blackmore and Stefan Smith