Thousands of volunteers across Jamaica are preparing to take part in International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2026 on Saturday, September 19, joining communities across the island in a collective effort to remove garbage from beaches, rivers, gullies and other waterways.

Coordinated nationally by the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), ICC Day brings together schools, community groups, businesses, government agencies, non-governmental organisations and individuals to take action against marine litter and plastic pollution. 

JET Project Manager Mrs. Jonelle Wright-Smellie said the response to this year’s cleanup has been good, with over 170 cleanups registered to take place across Jamaica.

“We are grateful to 135 groups that have registered to take part this year, and to the organisations supporting ICC Day 2026 in cash and in kind. Their commitment makes it possible for communities across Jamaica to come together and take action to protect our beaches and waterways,” said Mrs Wright-Smellie

ICC Day 2026 is supported by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), ScotiaBank Jamaica, Ocean Conservancy, Cemex Jamaica Limited, Pac Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL), B.D.Gregg and Bros, General Accident, Versachem Limited, International Ingredients, BRK Limited,  H.J.B. (Jamaica) Limited, Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains, Jamaica Urban Transport Company, DFL Importers Limited, Blinds Designs Limited, Juici Beef, Laidlaw Trucking and Disposals Limited, Recycling Partners of Jamaica, Jamaica Recycles, National Solid Waste Management Authority and Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation.

The theme for ICC Day 2026 is “Away is a Place.” What we throw away ends up somewhere. Too often, that ‘somewhere’ is a gully, river, beach or the Caribbean Sea.

Plastic makes up a significant proportion of the waste collected during ICC cleanups. This is particularly concerning because plastic does not biodegrade. Instead, it remains in the environment for hundreds of years, breaking down into smaller pieces and contributing to ongoing pollution of our land and oceans.

“Cleanups are important, but they cannot be our long-term solution to plastic pollution. We need to prevent waste at the source and ensure that producers take greater responsibility for the products and packaging they place on the market,” said Dr. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, CEO of JET.

JET is calling for stronger action to address plastic pollution, including the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), measures to reduce unnecessary single-use plastics and problematic packaging, and stronger systems that encourage reuse and recovery.

“Recycling has an important role to play, but the greatest impact comes from using less plastic in the first place and choosing reusable alternatives,” Dr. Rodriguez-Moodie added.

ICC Day is about more than collecting garbage. Volunteers record the types and quantities of items collected, with this information submitted to Ocean Conservancy and contributing to a global dataset used to better understand marine litter and inform solutions.

JET will host its flagship cleanup at the Palisadoes Go-Kart Track in Kingston on Saturday, September 19, while cleanups take place in communities across the island.

Mrs. Jonelle Wright-Smellie is also reminding volunteers to prepare for the heat. “It’s going to be hot, so bring your hat, water bottle and sunscreen, and remember to stay hydrated throughout the cleanup. We want everyone to stay safe while helping to keep Jamaica clean.”

JET encourages Jamaicans to join a cleanup, register a cleanup, collect data and help spread the message that Away is a Place.