With a full slate of monthly beach clean-ups, and a goal to bolster its resources, Plastic Free Cayman is poised to pull out all the stops for a cleaner, greener future.
The non-profit group aims to eliminate single-use plastics from the islands, raise awareness, and promote sustainable practices to protect the natural environment.
“With the passionate dedication of our team and the support of our community, we’re working tirelessly to reduce plastic pollution,” says Jonathan Schutte, part-time operations manager of Plastic Free Cayman.
“Together, we are leading the way in creating a more sustainable and plastic-free world, one step at a time.”
Among its goals for 2024 is to purchase a small boat to access parts of Grand Cayman not accessible by land, such as the central mangrove wetland.
“We would also have access to coral reefs for clean-ups and the open ocean to intercept plastic before it impacts our shores,” says Jonathan. “With a small boat not only will we have access, but we will use the opportunity to educate and share our mission.”
Plastic Free Cayman is looking to raise funds for a plastic shredder, a 40-foot container and a 3D printer to start recycling beach plastic into other products, such as benches.
It is also looking to organise a trip to Haiti. “This is where we have seen a significant amount of the plastic that washes up on our shores is originating from,” says Jonathan.
“We would like to see, document and share this first-hand, and drop GPS trackers at the mouth of the rivers that lead to the ocean and be able to track the plastic in real time as it makes its way from Haiti to our islands.”
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT
The group is always looking for volunteers to join its monthly beach clean-ups, which draw anywhere between 25 and 100 people, as well help with the sign-in process.
of Plastic Free Cayman.
“Each event we have a sign-in sheet to log participants,” says Jonathan. “This person is also in charge of handing out bags to fill, gloves to wear and water to fill reusable water bottles. This a great way to get involved if you don’t want to get messy on the beach.”
Donations and sponsorships are also welcome, which assist with educational visits to schools and businesses, along with other projects including beach cleanups and environmental education in the Sister Islands.
“We host trips to the Sister Islands each year and take a group of school kids with us to help and learn more about the impact that plastic has on our environment,” says Jonathan. “We visit from Friday until Sunday and host several clean-ups with local groups over there.”
GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT
Plastic Free Cayman began as a grassroots movement in 2017 – started by concerned teachers Claire Hughes and Bill Lamonte – receiving its not-for-profit designation in 2018.
Since its inception, it has removed around 5,000 pounds of trash annually. Around 2,500 volunteers have helped with its beach clean-up efforts.
Jonathan notes other ways to support the group is to take part in its social media conversations.
“Follow us on Instagram, share stories and experiences, comment your thoughts on our posts and get more people talking and thinking about ways that they can help,” he says.
MONTHLY BEACH CLEAN-UPS
Plastic Free Cayman’s monthly beach clean-up dates are posted and pinned on its Instagram page (@plasticfreecayman) and alternate between Saturdays and Sundays each month at various locations around the island.
Dates and themes are:
- Turtle Tracks – 27
- April Coral Carnival – 26 May
- Sunshine Scrub – 22 June
- Blue Wave – 28 July
- Island Overhaul – 24
- August Coastal Clean-up – 29 September
- Ocean Odyssey – 26 October
- Purging Paradise – 24 November
- Christmas Cleanup – 14 December.
PLASTIC FREE CAYMAN SPONSORS: A. L. Thompson’s, Island Supply, Red Sail Sports, Girl Power, Protect Our Future, Nauti Nomads, EcoCay, Sustainable Cayman, Project Planet, Compass Media, STOAK’D Cayman.
This article originally appears in the Spring 2024 issue of What’s Hot.
Related Videos
