The annual island-wide EY Coastal Clean-up in support of Keep Bermuda Beautiful will be held next Saturday.

Members of the community are invited to combe the beach, snorkel or dive as they help remove litter and marine debris from Bermuda’s beaches and coastline.

Participants will be part of a global effort to help reduce ocean pollution, with the 30th International Coastal Clean-up being held across the world on the same day.

“More people are becoming aware the problems of trash and ocean pollution and want to do something about it,” KBB executive director Anne Hyde said.

“It is easy to join the EY Coastal Clean-up; simply gather a team of family, friends and colleagues. Select a location or ask KBB to assist with selecting a location.

“Individuals are also welcome to join the event but you must register and find out when to pick up supplies and the data collection cards.

“There is a list of suggested locations, but these are only suggestions. It does not necessarily mean that there will be a team at every location on the list.

“That is why it’s important to contact KBB, so you know where to help out on the day of the event.”

A visit by KBB’s mascot, the Litter Critter, to the offices of title sponsor EY on Bermudiana Road will kick-start the day.

“EY is proud to champion this clean-up as part of our firm’s global focus on environmental sustainability,” EY partner Jessel Mendes said.

“This initiative and KBB’s continued focus on beautification positively impact our quality of life and environmental health.

“I hope you’ll join KBB and EY in this important and fun community event to help make our planet a better place.”

Billed as “an event for everyone”, corporate organisations, sports and civic groups, families and neighbours are encouraged to sign up.

And students can earn credit for community service. Volunteers need to register for the event through KBB’s website www.kbb.bm or call 295-5142.

Participants are asked to be “citizen scientists” for the day and not only clean up but categorise and tally each piece of litter on a data collection card.

The information from the data cards is collated by KBB and then sent on to Ocean Conservancy’s headquarters in Washington DC.

Participants will be provided with event T-shirts, trash bags, blue recycling bags, disposable gloves, data collection cards and instructions.

Volunteers are asked to bring along their own reusable drink container and the team leaders will provide a cooler and ice to keep drinks cold.

The collected debris will be trucked away by hired truckers and the Department of Parks.

For more information, to become a member, or join a clean-up, contact KBB on 295-5142 or 799-5142, e-mail anne@kbb.bm, visit www.kbb.bm or www.facebook.com/litter.free