JET conducts its 13th Annual Beach Clean Up of the Palisadoes Strip

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) will conduct its 13^th annual beach clean-up of the Palisadoes Strip on Saturday, September 16^th.  This will be in observance of International Coastal Clean-up Day, the largest one-day volunteer event of its kind celebrated in over 60 countries worldwide. 

Last year over three hundred volunteers from 22 schools and 21 organizations participated in the clean-up of the Palisadoes Strip.  Volunteers collected over 270 bags of garbage, mostly plastic. The most abundant items of garbage collected were PET bottles (4,500), bottle caps and lids (2,658), plastic bags (2,540) bags and plastic utensils and plates (2,213).   

JET’s Programme Director, Carlette Falloon says, “We try to make beach clean-up a learning experience, especially since most of the garbage collected are generated by human-related activities.  Many volunteers are quite amazed at the amount of garbage that washes up on our shores.” 

She went on further to say that, “Beach clean-up is more than just cleaning up the beach; it is an opportunity for the volunteers to see first hand what happens to the rubbish that is thrown on the streets and in the gullies, and to learn about the effects of litter on the marine environment.  We will also be asking volunteers to sign a recycling petition requesting that the Jamaican government implement an island wide recycling programme for PET bottles.” 

Avril Ranger, a participant at last year’s beach clean-up says she is really looking forward to this year’s activity. “This will be my fourth beach clean-up.  It has been a great learning experience and I encourage everyone to participate.”  

A training session will be held on Thursday, September 14^th at the Hilton Kingston Jamaica Hotel for all interested persons.  Volunteers for Saturday’s beach clean-up should bring their own drinking containers and dress appropriately for the sun.  A shuttle service will be provided from Half-Way Tree and Campion College to the Palisadoes Strip. 

This year’s beach clean-up exercise is sponsored by Airports Authority of Jamaica, NEM Insurance Company Ltd., United Nations Environment Programme, Jamaica Energy Partners, National Environmental Societies Trust (NEST), The Gleaner Company Ltd., Hilton Kingston Jamaica Hotel and other members of corporate Jamaica.

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