SALMON POINT, Westmoreland – Environmentally conscious entities Jamwest Motorsports and Adventure Park and Amstar DMC Jamaica Limited joined forces to organise a beach clean-up event at Salmon Point in Westmoreland last Tuesday.

Scores of volunteers from the two companies came out in support of the critical ecofriendly initiative that forms part of their corporate social responsibility to the wider community.

Together, team members spent the day clearing pounds of debris from the beachfront in a shared commitment to reduce plastic pollution as well as protect the sea and marine life.

Among the debris bagged were plastic bags, plastic bottles, dried leaves, Styrofoam, wood, and metal objects.

Through the collaboration, Jamwest and Amstar aim to make a significant impact on the health of Jamaica's beaches in addition to inspiring others to join in the fight against plastic pollution.

"We figured it was the right thing to do for the environment," said Andel Griffiths, vice-president for sales and marketing of Jamwest Motorsports and Adventure Park.

"In a way we are giving back to the community to do a beach clean-up ... bringing both companies together as a united force and taking care of our Jamaica that we introduce to our visitors on a daily basis," he added.

Griffiths stated that it was also critical to raise awareness about pollution on the country's beaches and has been taking part in similar clean-up activities over the years.

"We get a lot of debris from Savanna-la-Mar that just washes up on the beach. So it's something that we do every couple of weeks, but this time we decided to partner with Amstar to aid for this trip," he pointed out.

Amstar representative Michelle Sterling noted that the project was "worthwhile" and was a demonstration of the private sector's responsibility to give back not just to Jamaica but the many foreigners who visit the country.

"It was a great experience. For some of our team members it was their first time going out to do something like this. We've partnered with other persons before, but it's the first time coming out of Montego Bay," Sterling revealed.

Additionally, Sterling said the company is looking forward to partnering with other entities to bring cleanliness to "our beautiful beach area and, of course, our warm people."

Amstar creates travel experiences for its clients worldwide and in Jamaica. It uses excursion operators to provide destination services. The company's staff, customer support, and its modern fleet of vehicles provide service for meetings or incentive groups.

Jamwest Motorsports and Adventure Park, located just outside of Negril, offers tours to tourists and locals. The company also offers ATV and ziplines. Nature lovers can also explore Jamaica's flora and fauna on the Rock Safari Tour.