A cleaner Clarendon for Earth Day 2026

In a vibrant display of community spirit and environmental stewardship, Clarendon, Jamaica, embraced Earth Day 2026 with a comprehensive cleanup and public sensitization campaign in May Pen. Spearheaded by the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) in collaboration with SPM Waste Management Limited, the initiative saw an impressive turnout of residents, students, and community leaders, all united by a common purpose: to foster environmental responsibility and champion proper waste disposal.

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We need the partnership at the community level and at the homes, so we have to see where community begin to take ownership of their space and start calling out bad behaviour… We are also saving people’s lives because once we behave better in terms of how we treat with the planet, we won’t throw the old phones and laptops out in the open like that where seepage of chemicals will take place and affect the crops that we eat.

The collaborative effort involved teams diligently clearing debris, removing bulky waste, and engaging directly with residents to underscore the critical importance of maintaining clean surroundings. This hands-on approach is part of a broader strategy to cultivate public awareness and inspire lasting behavioral change, particularly in areas grappling with the persistent issue of improper waste disposal. Audley Gordon, Executive Director of the NSWMA, emphasized the indispensable role of community partnership, stating, "We need the partnership at the community level and at the homes, so we have to see where community begin to take ownership of their space and start calling out bad behaviour." He further highlighted the health implications, noting that responsible environmental practices "are also saving people’s lives because once we behave better in terms of how we treat with the planet, we won’t throw the old phones and laptops out in the open like that where seepage of chemicals will take place and affect the crops that we eat."

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It’s a symbiotic relationship, you do your part, we do our part and many of us are failing to bag our waste at source, containerise at source and place it at your gates so our workmen can come in easily and collect it.

Sheldon Smith, Regional Operations Manager at SPM Waste Management, reinforced the message that environmental protection is a shared duty, describing it as a "symbiotic relationship." He pointed out a common failing: "many of us are failing to bag our waste at source, containerise at source and place it at your gates so our workmen can come in easily and collect it." Local leaders, including Mayor of May Pen, Councillor Joel Williams, and Members of Parliament, lent their support, urging residents to embrace greater accountability for their communities. Delroy Williams, Member of Parliament for Central Clarendon and Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, specifically advised, "Ensure that you bag your waste, ensure that you dispose of your waste properly, use the waste disposal bags and storage containers, do not dispose at illegal dumpsites, don’t dispose waste in drains and gullies. If you have a problem, call the NSWMA." This concerted effort reflects Jamaica's ongoing commitment to tackling its waste management challenges, underscoring the power of community-driven action in achieving sustainable environmental change.

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Ensure that you bag your waste, ensure that you dispose of your waste properly, use the waste disposal bags and storage containers, do not dispose at illegal dumpsites, don’t dispose waste in drains and gullies. If you have a problem, call the NSWMA.