Every Monday morning on the West End of the island, a little known and credited group of residents go to work! What I call the West End Waste Warriors are out on the beach from Mason Pool down as far as Rhythms picking up trash left on the beach over the weekend on the best beaches on island. This group of hearty volunteers work hard to keep our most treasured natural areas clear of the trash that is left there over the weekend as possible.
One of the volunteers has made arrangements with Leatherback Brewing to get their empty grain bags to use as receptacles for trash that can be hung on trees, so that during the week those visiting the beach have a place to put trash that they need to dispose of. So, if you are driving by and see the white bags, that is what they are for. It has made a huge difference in the litter in the area.
More help is always needed. Emptying the white bags is a huge job, and volunteers are always welcome. Of course, the simple solution would be for people to just not leave anything on our beaches when they leave except their footprints. Those hosting parties need to carry out everything that came in.
We all must take responsibility for keeping our beaches and our ocean clean! In addition, the Smithfield/Two Brothers Neighborhood Watch does a whole area clean-up about twice a year. And you might even get lucky, like I did, and find a whole case of Carlsbad beer while searching the beach!
Every little bit counts and everyone helping makes the job light.
Linda Garvin, St. Croix