AM a clean freak ? a fact to which anyone who knows me can attest. I consider it a reflection of my delicate, sensitive nature. My mother claims it's because, from a very young age, my grandmother shielded me from contact with dirt. Her house was immaculate and, if I was in it, I had to be too. My ? often clean ? clothes were changed frequently during any time I spent with her, my tiny shoes never showed a scuff mark. She often bragged that even the air was examined before it was allowed anywhere near me.

With that background, one might imagine my disappointment with much of the wider population.

I do understand that one's home is one's castle, to be treated and cared for however one sees fit. My problem is when those with lackadaisical approaches to housekeeping extend that attitude to the streets.

Perhaps my memory is coloured by nostalgia, but I seem to remember Bermuda's public areas were a lot cleaner when I was growing up.

Though none are based in fact, I can think of several possible explanations for the change. The village mentality which was then so prevalent would have prevented most residents from daring to drop a bottle, candy wrapper or similar form of rubbish anywhere but in the proper disposal unit. Were someone to spot them in action, they'd be publicly chastised and of course, made to pick it up.

The smaller population is another likely contributor. With less people, there was of course, less consumption and less waste. As such, any waste would have been far easier contained by the island's then-titled Public Works Department ? its manpower, I am sure, has not increased in proportion with Bermuda's ever-burgeoning population.

Another possible factor is that, as a society, we were poorer. There were far less people buying the kinds of food usually consumed in public. Fast food, chocolate bars, coffee and the like, were considered luxuries ? if purchased, it was usually at the supermarket and generally consumed at home.

I concede this final point could be a figment of my imagination, however I seem to remember eating in public as something once frowned upon. Ladies simply did not indulge in food or drink while on the street ? the concept, to some, as repulsive as chewing gum or spitting.

Whatever the reason, Bermuda's roads are routinely covered in garbage. I say that not as an insult to the diligent employees of Works & Engineering but to our disgusting residents, many of whom seem to have no problem littering.

On my regular pilgrimage to the Supermart last Saturday, I parked my car on Front Street, in front of Docksiders. The gutter was littered with paper, evenly splayed over a span approximately the length of my station wagon, interspersed with plastic bottles, cigarette buts and assorted bits of debris. How it managed to accumulate is anyone's guess but I don't think the mess was placed there by the owners of the popular bar.

The scenario is, unfortunately, not limited to that area of Hamilton. I've seen the same on Church Street, Queen Street and Par-la-Ville Road. I've listened to complaints from residents who live on the roadside ? their properties frequently used as dumping grounds by passers-by. Wade through any cluster of bushes or trees in the public domain, and it's certain to yield a treasure-trove of dismissed items.

For a supposedly educated society, I find such behaviour deplorable. I do not litter. I will carry, even a tiny speck of paper, for miles. I've been known to hoard gum to one side of my mouth rather than add to Bermuda's unsightly problem.

However, as shameful as it is for me to admit, I am equally to blame. I do not remove garbage where I see it. I have never participated in a trash-a-thon or organised clean-up of the community. My own neighbourhood even, remains just as neglected by my efforts. I have never once donned gloves, grabbed a garbage bag and done my part to improve even a tiny tract on this island.

With that fact on my conscience and, following on my many recent observances of unnecessary squalor, I was extremely impressed this week to learn of an initiative by The Argus Group. More than 30 employees and family members of that company recently joined forces with staff from the Department of Parks. Together, they cleaned up Admiralty House Park and further enhanced the area by planting native and endemic plants and trees on the public land.

In referring to those efforts, company president and chief executive officer Gerald Simons called for an obvious, but seemingly forgotten practice ? we as adults need to lead by example.

As he said in acknowledging his group's actions: "It is important for adults to encourage our children and grandchildren to take ownership of and pride in our environment so that our descendants can continue to enjoy our beautiful Bermuda for the next 500 years and beyond."