Recycling Partners of Jamaica (RPJ) successfully recovered 296 kilograms (653 pounds) of plastic bottles at the 2026 staging of the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run, reinforcing the role of structured recycling at large-scale national events.

The event, held at Emancipation Park on Sunday, February 15, drew thousands of participants and spectators. Through the strategic placement of specially labelled recycling bins, on-site collection teams, and a dedicated sustainability booth, RPJ ensured that plastic bottles generated during the event were diverted from landfill and prepared for export to an overseas recycling facility.

This year’s recovery brings RPJ’s total plastic collection at Sigma 5K events over the past five years to approximately 1,365 kilograms (3,009 pounds).

A Structured Approach to Event Recycling

RPJ’s activation at Sigma 2026 included:

• Specially labelled recycling bins positioned throughout Emancipation Park
• A trained collection team operating on the ground to recover plastic bottles
• A public-facing booth providing information on recycling and the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)

Participants were encouraged to dispose of bottles responsibly or hand them directly to collection team members to ensure maximum recovery.

Recycling as Environmental and Economic Opportunity

Under Jamaica’s Deposit Return Scheme, plastic bottles recovered at events like Sigma represent both environmental and economic value.

Individuals across Jamaica can earn up to J$50 per kilogram for plastic bottles returned to authorized depots. Gairy Taylor, General Manager at Recycling Partners of Jamaica, stated, “Large national events generate significant volumes of plastic. With the right systems in place, that material does not have to become pollution. Sigma continues to demonstrate how coordinated collection can convert waste into a recoverable resource.”

RPJ has supported Sigma for five years as part of its broader mandate to increase national plastic recovery rates and strengthen Jamaica’s circular economy.

Looking Ahead

Recycling Partners of Jamaica remains committed to working with event organisers, corporate partners, and communities to ensure plastic bottles are properly recovered and processed.