Pilot: Solid Waste Reduction Project in Bluefields & Whitehouse, Westmoreland, Jamaica
Solid Waste Reduction Project
The Whitehouse and Bluefields Solid Waste Reduction Project targeted the communities of Whitehouse and Bluefields, as well as surrounding areas - Robins River, Mearnsville, Beeston Spring and Cave - all located on the south coast of Jamaica in the parish of Westmoreland. There, as in many other communities across Jamaica, solid waste pollution was prevalent in the gullies, beaches, and roadways and, in particular, in the Whitehouse and Bluefields Bay Special Fishery Conservation Areas (SFCA).
These communities, comprised of over 5000 residents, generate large amounts of garbage that either end up on the coast or in the sea, affecting the health of community members and the local environment including the SFCAs, on which local fisher folk depend. Fishing, tourism and agriculture are key industries in the communities and as such, community members (small business operators, families, schools, fisher folk and organizations such as the Sandals Foundation, who works within the community where its parent company operates Sandals South Coast resort) have key interests in protecting the environment.
Let’s Clean Up through Recycling & Composting!
Approximately 4,500 lbs of plastic bottles and 2,500 lbs of compost were collected. These materials were collected using some 200 bins that were distributed throughout the communities of Whitehouse and Bluefields in schools, bars, the police stations, the market to name a few.
Considering the global call to action to #BeatPlasticPollution campaign, the residents of Bluefields and Whitehouse in Westmoreland participated in a beach clean-up prior to the launch on June 8, 2018 in commemoration of World Oceans Day. A total of 32 community members participated in the launch activity. Over 300lbs of garbage was collected which threatens the growing populations of marine life and the livelihoods of local fishermen.
Bin Distribution
Over 200 labelled bins were placed in 34 separate locations in the south coast communities of Whitehouse and Bluefields. These locations included 17 schools, 1 health centre, 2 community centres, churches and police stations, 6 bars/pubs, throughout the marketplace and at various residential locations within the two communities.
Public Education Campaign
Outreach efforts impacted approximately 2,400 students and over 1,045 adults in the area. A social media campaign was also launched on June 5th, 2019.
For the campaign, twelve digital posters were created and shared by all the partners over the course of six weeks on various social media platforms including: Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
Community Livelihood Training
Livelihood training was conducted in the form of an Upcycling Workshop at the Whitehouse Community Centre on July 12th, 2019. Facilitators for the workshop included Bianca Young and Jordan Williams from the Sandals Foundation, Haniff Richards from Sandals Resorts International and Robert Grant, a local artist who specializes in Environmental Art. The workshop was broken into two sessions with different activities being done in each session. The workshop was attended by 21 community members as well as representatives from UN Environment (4) and NSWMA (4). The first session included jewellery making and the items made were paper bead bracelets, cork earrings, and lionfish earrings. The second session was making bins from plastic bottles with guidance from Haniff Richards who conducted a similar project with Sandals Resorts International. Both sessions also included a brief presentation about upcycling and the products that were going to be made.
The workshop was well received by the community with all the participants being well engaged and enthusiastic throughout the workshop and showing interest in a future session being held.
Upscaling Activities| Jamaica
Under the framework of the Caribbean Regional Node for Marine Litter Managament, the Whitehouse & Bluefields Solid Waste Reduction Project in Jamaica is set to benefit from a grant to further enhance the institution of a waste management system upgrade in Bluefields, sustainable meals in schools, improved plastic waste storage and transportation, sustainable compost business startup, and a video case study of the project.
The following activities are to be implemented within a two month duration:
- Activity 1: Waste Management Upgrade in Bluefields
- Activity 2: Sustainable Meals in Schools
- Activity 3: Compost Business Startup
- Activity 4: Super Sacks for Plastic Waste Storage
- Activity 5: Video Case Study
For more information visit our Trash Free Project page: https://www.unenvironment.org/cep/trash-free-waters-initiative-caribbean
