ST JAMES, Jamaica — As Jamaica approaches the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Melissa, which swept across the island, the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) used this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 19 to highlight the importance of ongoing efforts to protect the country’s coastal environment.

Observed under the theme, “Sea the Change”, the agency used the annual initiative to reinforce the need for year-round collaboration among Jamaicans to manage waste responsibly and keep the environment clean.

The NSWMA, through its western regional arm, WPM Waste Management Limited, partnered with Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort and Spa and other stakeholders for cleanup activities at Johnson Town Beach in Hanover.

Approximately 25 bags of waste were collected, including plastic and glass bottles, clothing and metal cans.

The exercise also provided an opportunity to identify the types of waste reaching coastal areas, to help to inform and strengthen public education and waste-prevention efforts.

NSWMA Community Relations Manager, Sharnon Williams, said the experience of Hurricane Melissa serves as a reminder that citizens have an important role to play in keeping beaches, waterways and coastal areas clean.

She emphasised that improperly disposed waste can become a significant environmental hazard during extreme weather events, particularly throughout the hurricane season.

“We have seen, firsthand, how storms and flooding can move large quantities of debris,” Williams said.

She noted that last year’s coastal cleanup, held just weeks before Hurricane Melissa, underscored the need for coastal protection efforts to continue beyond the annual observance.

“Coastal cleanup cannot be viewed as a once-a-year activity. It has to be part of a broader culture of responsible waste management throughout the year, especially during the hurricane season,” she said.

Williams urged citizens to dispose of their waste properly, noting that improper waste disposal can have serious consequences for marine life and stressing that “our actions on land matter to life in the sea.”

For her part, Social Responsibility Manager at Grand Palladium, Mitzie Smart, said the initiative forms part of the hotel’s Social Responsibility Department’s efforts to advance its three core pillars, including long-term sustainability for future generations.

She noted that the project also focuses on preserving the landscape and supporting environmental restoration through community involvement, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

“Nature has taken care of itself, and so we have to ensure that we do our part,” Smart emphasised.

Other stakeholders involved in Saturday’s coastal cleanup included the Jamaica Defence Force, the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College Environmental Club, and members of the local community.

— JIS