IN a show of environmental stewardship and community activism, Sandals Foundation mobilised almost 200 volunteers in Jamaica for this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD), spearheading a transformative effort to clean and protect the island’s vital marine ecosystem.

ICCD aims to increase marine conservation through solid waste management and reduction that may impact water quality, aquatic organisms, and their habitats. The initiative not only revitalises coastlines but also ignites a movement of community engagement, demonstrating the incredible strength of collective action for environmental sustainability.

In Montego Bay, more than 110 volunteers from Sandals Resorts International (SRI), Sandals Royal Caribbean, Sandals Montego Bay, Excellence Oyster Bay, the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Kiwanis Club of Coastal Trelawny, Muschette High School, the Social Development Commission (SDC), and several other community stakeholders came together to remove more than 780 pounds of trash from the coastline at Jobson Bay Eco Beach Park in Trelawny.

The clean-up effort yielded some interesting, but not shockingly surprising figures, with 1,458 plastic bottles, 794 bottle caps, and 403 disposable cups and plates collected — underscoring a persistent reliance on single-use plastics.

In the south coast, 25 volunteers from Sandals South Coast collected more than 200 pounds of trash from the Farm Turtle Beach.

In Westmoreland, 18 volunteers from Beaches and Sandals Negril cleaned Broughton Beach, while 25 volunteers from Sandals Dunn’s River and Sandals Royal Plantation cleaned Bay Beach on Ocho Rios.

“Empowering communities to take action in protecting our coastlines remains a top priority. Our marine ecosystems are vital sources of sustenance, economic livelihood, and protection from natural disasters, so they must be preserved and safeguarded,” said Heidi Clarke, executive director of the Sandals Foundation.

Clarke pointed out that the foundation’s efforts for environmental sustainability far surpass the one-day global beach clean-up.

According to Clarke, for the past 16 years, the philanthropic organisation has been a key player in marine sanctuary management, coral restoration, environmental education, and biodiversity conservation across the region.

Sandals Foundation Ambassadors from Sandals South Coast (from left) Sani Smith, Demesha Adams and Tiona Henry-Wynter shared they look forward to the yearly environment-focused activity as this is one of many ways to play their part in preserving the coast line. 

Mark Frederick, corporate manager, Sandals Corporate University, brings in a large tyre and bag of debris during an International Coastal Cleanup activity at Jobson Bay Eco Beach Park. 

Sachana Stephens from Sandals Montego Bay rests her legs as she sorts through debris collected from the shores of Jobson Bay Eco Beach Park.