More than100 volunteers representing Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa and regional air carrier Inter-Caribbean gathered along Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, On Saturday, September 21, for a collaborative clean-up, as part of International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024.
The group of volunteers collected waste from the beach dunes and nearby bushes, ensuring that harmful debris was removed before it could affect local marine life. This large-scale initiative not only focused on Turks and Caicos but extended to Barbados as well, with simultaneous cleanup efforts at Oystens Beach, demonstrating the power of regional cooperation in safeguarding the environment.
Sandals Foundation Leads the Charge
Georgia Scarlett, Environmental Manager at the Sandals Foundation, highlighted the significance of the cleanup.
“We’re celebrating International Coastal Cleanup Day across all of our nine islands,” Scarlett explained.
She also emphasized the new partnership with Inter-Caribbean Airways, which brought together volunteers from both Turks and Caicos and Barbados for the first time. Scarlett elaborated on the importance of the initiative, stating, "Even one piece of plastic or debris can harm an animal or shorebird. We're making sure to take care of the places we call home."
The Sandals Foundation, with its three pillars of environment, community, and education, has been an active force in driving sustainability efforts across the Caribbean. In addition to beach cleanups, the foundation has spearheaded various educational programs, such as introducing farming and composting initiatives in partnership with local departments. By teaching sustainable farming practices and food security principles to students and farmers, the foundation is ensuring a more sustainable future for the islands.
Corporate Partnership for Environmental Stewardship
For his part, Jamie McAnally, Managing Director of Beaches Turks and Caicos, stressed the importance of corporate responsibility, noting, “We probably have close to 100 people here today, and across the Caribbean, we’ve gathered 800 volunteers from both Sandals and Inter-Caribbean. It’s about making a huge impact and doing what’s right.”
McAnally pointed out that while Turks and Caicos is known for its pristine beauty, it’s essential not to take it for granted.
“Tourism is our bread and butter, but without a sound environment, it’s not going to materialize,” he said.
He pointed out that such events help ensure the future of the tourism industry, encouraging local businesses and residents to join in keeping the islands clean.
A Growing Partnership
Trevor Saddler, CEO of Inter-Caribbean Airways, also underscored the importance of this effort, referring to the cleanup as part of a wider “going coastal” initiative. Saddler highlighted the critical role that locals and tourists alike must play in protecting the environment, urging visitors to dispose of waste properly and asking locals to educate their children about environmental stewardship.
“We have a tourism-dependent economy in the Caribbean, and it’s up to all of us to maintain and improve that,” Saddler explained.
Despite the education available, some people continue to litter, which Saddler noted with disappointment. He shared his observations from the beach, describing how he picked up numerous plastic bottle caps and even styrofoam cups, remnants from years past. Saddler issued a reminder that it can take centuries for such waste to degrade, making it crucial to act now.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainability
Both McAnally and Saddler shared that the collaboration between Beaches Turks and Caicos and Inter-Caribbean Airways highlights the critical role of corporate responsibility in environmental preservation. They pointed out that as Grace Bay Beach continues to attract visitors from all over the world, efforts like these ensure that its natural beauty remains intact for generations to come.
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