The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) hosted its Earth Day Beach Cleanup on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Sirgarny Beach located along Michael Manley Boulevard, East Kingston. 

It was done as part of the project “Increasing Awareness on the Impacts of Improper Solid Waste Disposal on Public Health, Livelihoods, and the Marine Environment” funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) implemented by Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP). 

The project was designed to build on elements of JET’s well-known Nuh Dutty up Jamaica public education campaign. Funding support for the cleanup was also received from the GraceKennedy Foundation which assisted with transporting volunteers and removing plastics from the site for recycling using the Interceptor Tender. 

A total of 413 bags of garbage, estimating 4,100 pounds, dominated by single-use plastics, were removed from the beach by a group of 149 volunteers, including those from GraceKennedy Foundation, Immaculate High School, CB Group, Operation Help the People, Sutherland Global Services, Kiwanis Club of Barbican, Elleston Road Police Youth Club, CG United Insurance, Sutherland Scotiabank  The JET team and volunteers were also joined by the Senator the Honourable Matthew Samuda, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.  Support for the event was also received from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA). 

Senator  Matthew Samuda, who participated in the cleanup, said “I applaud JET for mobilizing hundreds of Jamaicans on Earth Day 2023 to clean the Sirgarny beach. I was heartened to see so many citizens participate, I was, however quite distressed, to see the volume of garbage on the beach. We will have to redouble our efforts to reduce our litter and protect our marine environment”.

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events in more than 190 countries. This year’s theme for Earth Day was the same as last year “Invest in Our Planet”, everyone– governments, industry, and individuals – has a role to play in ensuring a greener future for everyone.

JET’s Programme Director, Lauren Creary said, “It was great to see the turnout, but unfortunately, there is still a disconnect between these cleanups and personal action and responsibility. Investing in our Planet has to go beyond participating in a beach cleanup which is why volunteers were also encouraged to make a pledge to either reduce, reuse, recycle, compose and bag it an’ bin it. Importantly to not dutty up Jamaica”. 

Over the next few months, under the GEF SGP-funded project, the JET team will continue to mobilize community groups across the island, supporting their smaller community cleanups and hosting three road tours in Kingston, Portmore and Montego Bay.