Birthday Beach Clean Ups
My love for the beach is almost as well known as my work in design and illustration. My best childhood memories were of me at the beach and it still centres me to this day. My parents each in their own ways fostered my love and appreciation for the ocean and my adoration of sea creatures.
When I turned 30 I found myself focused on love being an action which lead me to think about my love for the ocean. Considering the increase in pollution and how it affects our beaches I decided to take action. I carried a garbage bag with me when I went to the beach and I picked up some trash. My passion grew and I soon started gently encouraging (some may say badgering) my loved ones about their plastic use and informed them of the horrible effects their drinking straws could have on an unsuspecting sea turtle. I was relieved when Jamaica imposed the plastic ban, phew!
That year, for my 31st birthday, I decided to host a beach clean-up inviting my family and friends. Despite being an early morning mission it was a great turnout and that’s where the journey began. Wisynco even came on board as a main sponsor! (Thanks Shelly!)
In 2018 we picked up over 50 bags of garbage and recyclable waste. For the second and third stagings of the clean up I opened invitations to anyone who wanted to participate. In 2019 we did 8 bags of garbage and 45 bags of recyclable waste. In 2020 we did 40 bags of garbage and 42 bags of recyclable waste. I’d love to make it even bigger and more effective next time.
I sincerely hope this inspires you to start small and do what you can with the resources available to you if you want to make a change. I also want to encourage you to do at least one environmentally friendly thing each day eg. refuse a plastic straw or use a reusable shopping bag. Let’s do our part to help the planet we love!
Sign up to be part of the next birthday beach clean up:
(This mailing list is solely for beach clean ups)
*It’s usually held on the first or second Saturday of March.*
Thanks again to my sponsors, all the people who showed up to help out and those who try to do something environmentally friendly each day, especially as it isn't the easiest thing to do… this is how we make the shift!
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If you’re interested in planning a beach clean up or you want to organise an environmental project in Jamaica, here are some resources:
Wisynco Eco Troopers at
Recycling Partners Jamaica
22a Lyndhurst Rd, Kingston
1 888-429-5738
Jamaica Environment Trust
123 Constant Spring Rd, Kingston
(876) 960-3693
Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica
http://nuhduttyupjamaica.org
View their Beach Clean Up Checklist here
Live ECCO
(876) 378-1257