Proposals are on the table to start selling Bermuda's scrap metal overseas in a joint project with islands in the Caribbean that will bring in extra cash.

Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott told The Royal Gazette yesterday that meetings had already been held with experts and politicians on neighbouring islands to discuss how the scheme could get off the ground.

Mr. Scott said Castle Harbour, where all present scrap metal is dumped, was fast running out of space and alternative ideas for disposal needed to be found.

But he said, besides solving the problem of space on the Island, exporting the scrap metal would bring in new revenue, which could help pay for a planned new garbage and recycling plant.

He said: "What we are looking to do is compact the cars and other metals and sell them off the Island for scrap metal.

"But Bermuda being so small, it would be difficult for us to make it economically viable. However, we thought that if we had this problem, other small islands would have equally the same problem.

"As a result, last month I had technical officers go to the Caribbean for a conference on waste management, and, not only did the technical folks over there think it possible, but the politicians also said they wanted to pursue it.'' He said the finer details of the export business were now being looked at, but he said the metal would probably be exported to the US and South America.

And he said the scheme would ultimately have to go to Cabinet for approval, but he hoped to have an indication as to its future by the end of this year.

Mr. Scott said a new recycling plant would cost close to $1 million.

He added: "We are trying to be as cost effective as possible and are always looking for areas where savings or additional cash can be made.

"This seems like a very good way of working with other islands to benefit us all.''