International Coastal Clean-up 2019

Volunteers and EPPD staff proudly posed for a photo at the end of a successful ICC 2019 

International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) 2019

Another year, another successful International Coastal Clean-up (ICC)!

From L-R, His Excellency Arend Biesebroek, (Ambassador to the EU Delegation T&T), Ms. Keima Gardiner (Waste Management Specialist) and Mr. Fazeer Mohammed on the TV6 Morning Edition programme. 

In preparation for the ICC, the Ministry of Planning and Development in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Trinidad and Tobago participated in the Morning Edition television programme, to raise awareness on the thirty-third (33^rd) anniversary of this worldwide data collection initiative.

Volunteers remove waste at the Foreshore

Trinidad and Tobago has been an active participant in this venture for the past seventeen (17) years, and on Saturday 21st September, 2019 the combined Ministry and EU team took part in this year's ICC at the Foreshore, off the Audrey Jeffers Highway, Port of Spain, which was one (1) of thirty (30) sites cleaned in Trinidad and Tobago.

The ICC is the largest, annual global volunteer initiative aimed at removing discarded material and debris from waterways and the marine environment, in an effort to restore its integrity. A whopping 220 volunteers came out to the Foreshore to bear the initial sweltering heat, to participate in this year’s exercise.

As the day unavoidably came to an end due to the inclement weather, a still impressive 2090 lbs of garbage and marine debris were removed from the Foreshore coastline. The most popular items found were plastic bags, plastic utensils (forks, knives, spoons), beverage bottles and tiny plastic pieces. 

The most unusual items picked up were quite expansive, ranging from a headboard to bike handles, refrigerator parts and even a hair dryer.

Overall, the day was an eventful one, albeit cut short due to the sudden storm that rolled in. The day was filled with most importantly, data collection followed by rain baths, a singular bee sting, in-house garbage hauling and even birthday celebrations.

Photos below show some of the EU's and EPPD's staff, volunteers and trash collected at ICC 2019

International Coastal Clean-Up Day 2018

On September 15^th, 2018, the Ministry of Planning and Development took part in the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) at the Foreshore, in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Affairs. The ICC has as a primary objective, removal of trash and marine debris from beaches and waterways in an effort to help restore the integrity of the marine environment.

Approximately 200 volunteers gave generously of their time during a four (4) hour period to participate in this global data collection exercise. As a result of their efforts, 4, 289.2 lbs of garbage and marine debris were removed from the coastline, and the beach reverted to its untarnished natural appearance. The most popular items found were plastic bottles (680), while an alarming 100 tyres were removed by a very able-bodied and zealous team.  The list of most unusual items was quite extensive this year and included a television casing, floppy disc, carpet, suitcase, fan, couch cushion, video game, car headlight and radio.

Special thanks to all volunteers who through their hard-work bore testament to the Ministry’s tagline ‘Environmental Pride is National Pride’.

 Tyres litter the Foreshore

 A volunteer at ICC, 2018

 Volunteers are provided with instructions for data collection

 EPPD Team at ICC 2018

International Coastal Clean-Up 2017- Hart's Cut

Hart’s Cut, Chaguaramas was the Ministry of Planning and Development’s location for the 2017 International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) event. The activity, which was held on September 16, 2017 was conducted in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company (SWMCOL), and at twenty-four (24) other sites across Trinidad and Tobago by other entities.

The ICC is a global data collection exercise with an objective of removing trash and marine debris from beaches and waterways in an effort to help restore the integrity of the marine environment. The data collected is utilised for public awareness and sensitization programmes, mapping trends over the years and policy development. 

The Ministry of Planning and Development, as the Ministry with responsibility for the environment continued to be the largest local monetary sponsor of the event. The combined efforts from the members of staff from the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD), the Communications Department, the Central Statistical Office (CSO), and other divisions of the Ministry, along with the volunteers from the SWMCOL collectively resulted in the removal of 884lbs of garbage from the bay. The most unusual items collected included plastic veneer strips used for interior decorative purposes, an audio headset, an oil filter, a wooden stool, a paint tin, and dental floss.

 Special thanks to all volunteers who generously gave of their time and worked harmoniously towards the achievement of trash free seas, and for embodying the Ministry of Planning and Development’s ICC theme, ‘Environmental Pride is National Pride’.

                                     
             

ICC 2015!

Annually, the 3rd Saturday in September, volunteers around the world remove millions of pounds of discarded material and debris from oceans and waterways as part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). Trinidad is no exception as on September 19th, 2015 volunteers rendered their time and efforts for ICC, 2015.

 

The Ministry of Planning and Development is the major sponsor of the local chapter of the ICC. Thus, the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD) of the Ministry continued its involvement with the cleanup and data collection exercise hosted by the Ocean Conservancy by assisting in the cleanup of the Chagville Beach in Chaguaramas. Chagville Beach was one of the 17 beaches that was cleaned across the country in this exercise. 

 

Staff of the EPPD joined Plastikeep and other volunteers and concerned citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in ICC 2015 cleanup efforts. Within their groups of 4, participants enthusiastically collected plastic and glass bottles, food wrappers, bottle caps, tyres, dead animal carcasses and other debris both natural and anthropogenic. By the end of the cleanup exercise several bags of debris were collected.

 

This initiative provides substantive evidence of the need for us to heighten our environmental awareness and alter our behaviour, in the hope that in the future less debris will be collected from our coastal sites.

 

Snapshots of from ICC 2015

ICC 2014

Annually, the 3rd Saturday in September, volunteers around the world remove millions of pounds of discarded material from oceans and waterways as part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). Trinidad was no exception as on Saturday 20th September, 2014 at approximately 19 beaches and waterways across the country, dedicated volunteers rendered their time and service in this data collection exercise.

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) journeyed to the east coast to Manzanilla to clean up the surrounding environment and improve the beach's aesthetics for ICC 2014. The Honourable Minister Ganga Singh as well as the Honourable Minister Romana Ramdial, alongside the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Vidiah Ramkelawan and representatives of the Ministry's Head Office, the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD), the Communications Department,Human Resources, the Accounts Division, the Water and Sewage Authority (WASA) and the National Reforestation and Watershed Rehabilitation Programme (NRWRP) all braved the inclement weather on that morning to support’ Trash Free Seas’. 

Within their groups of four, participants enthusiastically collected plastic bottles, food wrappers, grocery bags, bottle caps, fishing rope, dead animals and other debris both natural and anthropogenic. By the end of the cleanup exercise, several bags of debris were collected and the condition of the beach improved considerably, as did the weather. 

All sponsors and volunteers deserve commendation for continuously organising and supporting this event.  Their efforts are useful for providing quantitative data to inform decision makers, researchers, the public and   organisations such as the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) and the National Planning Committee (NPC). Additionally, this initiative provides substantive evidence of the need for us to heighten our environmental cognizance and alter our behaviour, in the hope that in future years less debris will be collected from these coastal sites. 
 

Honourable Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Ganga Singh (centre)
 with the staff of the MEWR  who participated in ICC 2014.

 

 

Trash Free Seas! - ICC 2013

The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) took place on Saturday 21^st September, 2013. Volunteers across Trinidad participated in the removal of litter and marine debris from eighteen (18) beaches and waterways, with a separate event in Tobago.

The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) is the major sponsor of the local chapter of the ICC. Thiis year the Ministry comprising of its Divisions and Agencies engaged in coordinated efforts to clean up one designated site, Chagville, Chaguaramas.

The Honourable Minister, Ganga Singh came out to actively participate in the removal of materials that threaten wildlife, human health, ecosystems, livelihoods and revenue generation. In addition, representatives from the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD), the Ministry’s Head Office, Forestry Division, Drainage Division, the Water and Sewage Authority (WASA), National Reforestation Watershed and Rehabilitation Programme (NRWRP), Green Fund and the Meteorological Services also participated.

Staff of the Ministry with the Honourable Minister of the Environrment and Water Resources, Ganga Singh (front row, third from the left)

4,325.5 pounds of garbage was collected by 1,142 volunteers from Chagville Beach alone. The efforts of those willing participants helped to restore the aesthetics and increase the ocean’s resilience, but also worked towards raising the environmental consciousness by providing tangible evidence on the need for us to alter our behaviour and implement long-lasting, resounding solutions. The overarching purpose of the clean-up effort was in the hope of creating Trash Free Seas in Trinidad and Tobago.

Special thanks go out to the local organizer of the event, the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) and the National Planning Committee (NPC), all sponsors, site captains and volunteers as it was because of their support this event was a huge success.