Macleay Island's unwanted tag as the dirtiest Southern Moreton Bay Island for roadside litter will soon be erased, thanks to a move by the island's local Coastcare group.
Veteran roadside rubbish collector and SMBI Coastcare spokesman Allan Prestwood, of Russell Island, said for some reason Macleay Island needed a new start to tackle community-based clean-ups.
"I'm sure some people on Macleay used to pick up litter on daily walks or regular exercise runs but maybe they've left the islands or can't any more because of health reasons," Mr Prestwood said.
He said regular "rubbish picker-uppers" roamed Russell, Lamb and Karragarra islands but Macleay roadsides, in particular the main road, had been neglected.
Mr Prestwood has been collecting discarded rubbish on Russell Island for six years and regularly visits all islands.
"The other islands are well looked after by dedicated volunteers so I'm sure Macleay will easily catch up and be spic-and-span in no time," he said.
Mr Prestwood said roadside rubbish seen these days was very similar to that of the past.
It was mainly discarded plastics, paper, drink and cigarette packages, fast food containers and household rubbish fallen from unsecured loads.
Footpaths and gutters on the islands have no litter traps and a major concern is the increasing marine life mortality rate linked to plastic ingestion.
The SMBI Coastcare start up and clean up campaign on Macleay Island is scheduled for Sunday, February 22.
For further information, contact SMBI Coastcare co-ordinator Leigh Abbott on 3409 5642 or campaign organiser Allan Prestwood on 0427 038 970.
