Why do beach clean-ups, community clean-ups and plastic collections never seem like they are enough? Because they never are.
I am not at all saying that these activities are a waste of time; far from it. Of course, they help reduce the amount of plastic on our beaches (and as it degrades in the hot sun – and in the sea – it emits considerable amounts of a greenhouse gas named methane); but I really do feel that the clean-ups help raise consciousness. Once you see a beach where every inch is covered with trash – mostly plastic – then the scale of the problem sinks in. And this is probably just one small beach. One beach clean-up will spur you to greater awareness and action.
Anyway, post-Earth Day I wanted to mention the “Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica” Earth Day beach cleanup, which was attended by Minister Matthew Samuda, our de facto environment and climate change minister who actually has a lot of other items in his portfolio. It was Senator Samuda who piloted legislation in Parliament for the banning of imported plastic bags (so-called “scandal bags”) although they do still mysteriously turn up from time to time at cook shops and in the hands of street vendors; as well as plastic straws and polystyrene. Unfortunately, the polystyrene has been replaced with a kind of plastic that is not recyclable, so we now have plastic lunchboxes everywhere, complete with plastic knives and forks and spoons. In March of this year, Minister Samuda announced that this would be addressed in the 2023/24 financial year, besides certain tiny types of microplastics (“microbeads”) contained in some personal care products such as toothpaste, facial scrubs, and soaps. These are already banned in the U.S. What I would also really like to see is a ban on plastic cutlery and plates – single-use plastic of all kinds.
A side note: globally, plastic is causing so much horror and death to marine life, which is already struggling with the effects of climate change. I came across this sad tweet a few days ago, from an island off the coast of Australia:
In fact, seabirds are now known to be suffering from something called “plasticosis,” according to scientists, which creates a continuous inflammation of the digestive tract. Here’s more on the research being done on Lord Howe Island, and its implications for birdlife – and quite possibly human health, too.
But, Jamaicans are taking action. As I wrote in Global Voices recently, although the entire Caribbean is awash with plastic, we shall not be deterred. There are many efforts and ongoing programmes, such as the Kingston Harbour Cleanup Project, a partnership with The Ocean Cleanup that is forging ahead determinedly. I look forward to hearing more from them on the success of this project.
Here is Jamaica Environment Trust’s report on their Earth Day cleanup. As JET’s Lauren Creary notes, however, doing a cleanup is never enough. A whole new mindset and set of habits is needed. This is why the Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica campaign has always been so important. As JET stresses, much more public education is needed!
The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) hosted its Earth Day Beach Cleanup on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Sirgany Beach located along Michael Manley Boulevard, East Kingston. It was done as part of the project “Increasing Awareness on the Impacts of Improper Solid Waste Disposal on Public Health, Livelihoods, and the Marine Environment” funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) implemented by Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP). The project was designed to build on elements of JET’s well-known Nuh Dutty up Jamaica public education campaign. Funding support for the cleanup was also received from the GraceKennedy Foundation, which assisted with transporting volunteers and removing plastics from the site for recycling using the Interceptor Tender.
A total of 413 bags of garbage, estimating 4,100 pounds, dominated by single-use plastics, were removed from the beach by a group of 149 volunteers. These were from GraceKennedy Foundation, Immaculate Conception High School, CB Group, Operation Help the People, Sutherland Global Services, Kiwanis Club of Barbican, Elletson Road Police Youth Club, CG United Insurance, and Scotiabank. The JET team and volunteers were also joined by Senator the Honourable Matthew Samuda, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. Support for the event was also received from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).
Senator the Honourable Matthew Samuda, who participated in the cleanup, said: “I applaud JET for mobilizing hundreds of Jamaicans on Earth Day 2023 to clean the Sirgany beach. I was heartened to see so many citizens participate. I was, however quite distressed to see the volume of garbage on the beach. We will have to redouble our efforts to reduce our litter and protect our marine environment.”
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events in more than 190 countries. This year’s theme for Earth Day was the same as last year – “Invest in Our Planet.” Everyone– governments, industry, and individuals – has a role to play in ensuring a greener future for everyone.
JET’s Programme Director, Ms. Lauren Creary said, “It was great to see the turnout, but unfortunately, there is still a disconnect between these cleanups and personal action and responsibility. Investing in our Planet has to go beyond participating in a beach cleanup, which is why volunteers were also encouraged to make a pledge to either reduce, reuse, recycle, compose and bag it an’ bin it. Importantly to “not dutty up Jamaica.”
Over the next few months, under the GEF SGP-funded project, the JET team will continue to mobilize community groups across the island, supporting their smaller community cleanups and hosting three road tours in Kingston, Portmore and Montego Bay.
Petchary's Blog 
In my tiny village in Sweden we use biodegradable “plastic” bags made from bagasse (sugar cane trash) imported from Brasil. There is a machine that pays a small financial sum of money for all barcoded plastic bottles. Straws are made from long lasting recycled paper and disposable knives and forks are pressed out of processed Bamboo from China.
The latest move is to ensure all drinks bottles lids remain attached to the bottle by a small “strap of plastic”: not vandal proof but enough to prevent them being discarded before the bottle is thrown into the recycle bin. Glass is also making a significant come-back for bottles.
So much could be done in Ja with entrepreneurs encouraged.
The imported products are now being replaced by locally made sustainable items.
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Great job! Thank you ! You all gave earth/ beach a special and wonderful gift that day! Thank you all for caring!
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One has to keep trying and play our part, Lee! Thank you.
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If I didn’t know Petchary as a fighter I might have felt this piece had a sense of resignation. Why can’t we get a serious bottle deposit amount to fight the unrelenting build-up of plastic garbage everywhere in Jamaica?
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Sigh. I am not resigned – it just seems such a vast problem, not just for Jamaica. At the moment the deposit is $50 per kilo. Recycling (and redemption) is a huge and complex logistical task in Jamaica. Currently, recycling depots are literally overwhelmed with plastic bottles.
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