The Sandals Foundation Mobilizes Volunteers for International Coastal Cleanup Day

As part of continued efforts to safeguard the island’s coastal ecosystems, some 200 Sandals Foundation ambassadors joined in the largest one-day volunteer event in the world removing over 2,480pounds of solid waste from six locations across the islandon International Coastal Cleanup Day (Saturday, September 21st).

Equipped with gloves, bags, and ocean trash data forms, volunteers from Sandals South Coast focused on cleaning the 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 cleanup effort at the Rio Nuevo beach in Ocho Rios.

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

Grade 11 students from Tacky High School, Joeanna Cohen lamented the horrible state of the coastline but was happy for an opportunity to leave the area in a much better condition. Romane Johnson, an Environmental Health & Safety Manager at Sandals Ocho Rios certainly shared her sentiments.

“Today’s beach cleanup 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,” he said,

The 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, shared, “As a Sandals Foundation Ambassador and Earth Guardian, volunteering for this cleanup 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. She added 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 the Kiwanis Club of Trelawny. Together they removed over 930 pounds of solid waste, including old tires, 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 the 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.”

Across the Caribbean, the Sandals Foundation has mobilized team members in all nine islands in which it operates implementing coastal cleanup activities in Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, St. Lucia, Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada, Curacao, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Antigua and Barbuda.