AS part of continued efforts to safeguard the island’s coastal ecosystems, 200 Sandals Foundation ambassadors joined in the largest one-day volunteer event in the world, removing more than 2,480 pounds of solid waste from six locations across the island on International Coastal Cleanup day, Saturday, September 21.

Equipped with gloves, bags, and ocean trash data forms, volunteers from Sandals South Coast focused on cleaning Whitehouse Fish Market, removing 300 pounds of debris. Team members expressed hope that their efforts will help preserve Westmoreland’s marine environment and protect its natural beauty.

At Fisherman’s Beach in St Ann, volunteers from Sandals Dunn’s River and Sandals Royal Plantation cleared 600 pounds of debris.

“This was a rewarding experience, being part of International Coastal Cleanup day,” said volunteer Tameisha Johnson. “This beach is crucial to the community but, unfortunately, garbage from drains and the ocean litters it. I’m thankful I could help improve this area.”

Sandals Foundation volunteers also staged a clean-up effort at Rio Nuevo beach in Ocho Rios.

In Port Maria approximately 300 pounds of trash were removed from Jervis Beach by 58 volunteers from Beaches Ocho Rios and Sandals Ocho Rios, joined by students and instructors from Tacky Technical High School.

Romane Johnson, an environmental health and safety manager at Sandals Ocho Rios, shared her sentiments.

“Today’s beach clean-up was a powerful reminder of our environment’s challenges. Among the usual litter our team uncovered large, corroded sections of a refrigerator and a stove — objects that simply don’t belong in our oceans or on our shores. It’s alarming, but encouraging to see how much we can accomplish together,” she said.

Johnson Town Beach in Lucea was the focal point for Sandals Foundation volunteers from Beaches Negril and Sandals Negril.

Monique Munroe, assistant accountant at Sandals Negril and a yearly participant, said, “As a Sandals Foundation ambassador and earth guardian, volunteering for this clean-up reminds us of our responsibility to the environment. Every piece of trash we collect makes a difference for future generations.”

Nackiel Drummond, weddings manager at Sandals Montego Bay, joined the effort at Jobson Bay Eco Beach Park in Trelawny, bringing her nine-year-old son.

“As a hospitality professional I see myself as an ambassador for my island, which includes protecting the natural environment. Jobson Bay is beautiful, and we dream of a day when locals and visitors can enjoy it without the presence of waste,” Drummond said, adding that environmental protection is important to her and it’s a value she’s passing on to her son.

Drummond was among a team of 88 volunteers from Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean, Sandals Resorts International, Sea the Change Foundation, and Kiwanis Club of Trelawny who together removed more than 930 pounds of solid waste — including old tyres, rusted zinc, construction material, and clothing from Jobson Bay Eco Beach Park.

“While removing trash is important, what’s even more critical is fostering a culture of environmental stewardship,” said Heidi Clarke, executive director of Sandals Foundation. “Through initiatives like these we are developing ambassadors for the environment — educating schools and communities about reducing waste, understanding the importance of protecting our coastal ecosystems, and advocating for better waste management in coastal areas. These are the actions that lead to lasting change and preserve the livelihoods that depend on our natural resources.”