Early in 1960 Gan was looking more like a rubbish dump each day.  There did not appear to be any set policy on the disposal of the large amount of rubbish generated by all those resident on the island.  This led to large amounts of rubbish, including empty beer cans and felled palm trees, being indiscriminately dumped on any beach, so long as it was clear of the accommodation blocks.  This was done in the hope that incoming tides would sweep it all away.  They did not.

Beer Can Island was right at the eastern end of Gan just to the south of the runway 28 approach lights out on the reef.  This raised area of the shoreline seemed to have more than its fare share of rusting cans and other rubbish as shown in this picture.
The whole of Gan was cleared of rubbish early in 1960 after the appointment of a newly arrived Officer as Environmental Manager.  Everyone benefited from his detailed and strict policies on environmental control.