IF things go according to plan, at least 10,000 volunteers will come out on Saturday morning to collect solid waste from the seafloor, riverbanks, gullies, and beachfronts all around the island, and the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) would have met its target.

The NGO, which coordinates the annual International Coastal Clean-up in Jamaica on behalf of Ocean Conservancy in the United States, pulled 7,400 people last year, pushing Jamaica in the top-ranking position in the Caribbean, and 12 in the world in terms of the magnitude of the clean-up.

This year, it wants to hit the 10,000 mark and rank in the top 10 worldwide.

As national coordinators, JET hosts its own activity at Fort Rocky on the Palisadoes main road in Kingston, and organises projects in over 100 sites across the island. Fort Rocky had 1,900 volunteers last year. So far, this year, the figure looks set to double, based on the creation of two satellite sites also on the Palisadoes Road — one at the end of the stone revetment and the other on the harbour side of the road.

“We are expecting our largest turnout this year,” JET said.

International Coastal Cleanup Day celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, but this will be the 22nd year for JET and Jamaica. The theme of this year’s event is borrowed from JET’s public education campaign — ‘Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica’.

Fort Rocky is five minutes past the Plumb Point Lighthouse on the Palisadoes strip. Activities begin at 7:30 am and and should wrap up by 10:30 am.

This year’s event will feature appearances by local celebrities and public figures.

JET, meanwhile, is encouraging volunteers to generate as little garbage as possible on the day by only taking reusable water bottles and limiting refreshments to fruits.

The major sponsors of ICC Day are the Tourism Enhancement Fund and Recycling Partners of Jamaica, with support also coming from Wisynco, Pepsi, Garnier, and DFL Industries (Rhino Plastic bags).