MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Demonstrating remarkable community spirit and environmental dedication, Reggae Sumfest’s annual beach cleanup on June 15th resulted in the removal of over 2,500 pounds of waste from Catherine Hall and Fisherman’s beaches in Montego Bay, St James.

Now in its fourth staging, this coastal cleanup has become a vital component of the festival’s lead-up activities. Various stakeholders and sponsors joined forces to support Sumfest organisers in their unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.

The cleanup effort successfully collected 1,475 pounds of plastic and over 1,100 pounds of other waste, including tyres, old clothes, and furniture, from both the beach line and the ocean beds.

Leeann Dunkley, coordinator of sustainability at Downsound Entertainment/Reggae Sumfest, is ecstatic the cleanup was able to be executed in the magnitude that it was as it highlights the crucial need for environmental efforts. She emphasised the importance of expanding their efforts, noting that adding another beach to this year’s cleanup highlights the team’s dedication to growth.

“Each year, our beach cleanup initiative grows in scope and impact, reinforcing our commitment to environmental sustainability and community involvement. Seeing the collective effort and the tangible difference we make is incredibly rewarding. This year’s addition of another beach to our cleanup efforts shows our dedication to continuous growth and our unwavering resolve to protect Jamaica’s beautiful coastline and our environment. Together, we’re making a significant impact and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship,” Dunkley stated.

Marcus Richards, managing director of the Hardware and Lumber Group (H&L), expressed pride in the project’s achievements over the years.

Marcus Richards, managing director of the Hardware and Lumber Group (H&L) with his team during Saturday’s beach cleanup excercise. (Photo: Contributed)

“This is a top-quality, feel-good event. The number of volunteers has grown significantly, and so has the amount of garbage collected. Joe (Bogdanovich) and the team should be exceptionally proud of what they’ve started and built,” he said.

Richards also highlighted the project’s status as a highly anticipated community event and praised its community-centred approach.

“So many people look forward to this clean-up each year as one of the official community kick-off events. One of the things that I take my hat off to Joe and the team for is that Sumfest is really a community-centred activity. Everything they do ploughs back into the community,” Richards added.

He further revealed plans to extend sustainability efforts to schools to create green spaces and support the development of young Jamaicans. “When it comes to corporate social responsibility, we focus on education, health care, and the environment. It’s important to engage youngsters early, and this year’s cleanup saw a great turnout of children.”

Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Dwight Crawford, commended the Sumfest organisers, underscoring the importance of educating future generations on environmental stewardship. “As the councillor for the area, this project is very dear to me. The support and growth over the years have been tremendous, and it’s heartening to see the community come together for such a vital cause,” he said.

Kimesha Campbell-Douglas, marketing officer at Recycling Partners of Jamaica (RPJ), praised the initiative’s impact. She noted the significant amount of plastic waste collected and emphasised the importance of public awareness in changing behaviours.

“Today, we collected 1,475 pounds of plastics alone. The impact of this project is far-reaching, and we are seeing positive changes in recycling behaviours. The numbers truly motivate us at RPJ to help in any way we can to get people to understand what this is actually doing to our environment,” she said.

Alex Morrissey, Director at Esirom, expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Reggae Sumfest on their sustainability mission. “Reggae Sumfest is deeply committed to sustainability, and that’s reflected in their efforts beyond the music festival. Today, we pulled fabric, strollers, and even a table from the ocean bed—items that should never be in our waters. It’s heartbreaking, but it motivates us to continue our work,” he said.

Morrissey, who received a special honour during the event, appreciated the recognition but emphasised that their efforts are driven by a desire to inspire others.

“We don’t do it for the recognition; we do it because it’s needed. We hope to inspire other businesses and Jamaicans to make an impact. You don’t need to be a multi-million-dollar company to make a difference,” he concluded.

This year’s cleanup was supported by sponsors and partners including Chesters Chicken, Sunshine Snacks, Wisynco, UDC, Magnum, Pepsi, Zoetry, Recycling Partners of Jamaica, Hardware and Lumber, Esirom, Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gentle Care Ambulance Service, Grand Palladium, HEART Trust, Hospiten, Jill Stewart Montego Bay City Run, Project Star, Touchstone Ticketing, VIP Attractions, Maggi, Tortuga and Wisynco.