WILLEMSTAD – The 14th edition of World Clean Up Day Curaçao was successfully held on Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, bringing together approximately 2,500 volunteers at 70 locations across the island. Participants worked both on land and underwater to remove litter and other waste and contribute to a cleaner Curaçao.
The annual cleanup is the largest initiative organized by Fundashon Curaçao Clean Up and forms part of the Green Wave awareness campaign, which aims to encourage lasting behavioral change and greater collective responsibility for keeping the island clean.
This year’s official kickoff took place at Broeder Rigobertus School in Sta. Rosa. The school’s director delivered an address before joining the board of Curaçao Clean Up for the official countdown.
Several students also spontaneously addressed those attending. Organizers said their participation demonstrated the growing involvement of young people in environmental initiatives.
This year’s cleanup focused primarily on litter. Because much of the material collected consisted of relatively small items, organizers expect the total weight of waste to be lower than in previous editions.
Many groups began working as early as 6:00 a.m., allowing them to complete their activities before the hottest part of the day.
In addition to the approximately 2,500 volunteers, 11 companies provided heavy equipment to remove waste that could not easily be collected by hand.
The cleanup also extended beneath the sea. Around 150 divers worked at 19 underwater locations, removing fishing lines, fishing equipment, spent ammunition casings and other debris from Curaçao’s waters.
At Ronde Klip, volunteers encountered three illegally dumped pig carcasses. Selikor removed the carcasses immediately. Work to clear the remaining waste in the area will continue through Tuesday with the use of a grapple and loader.
Because that operation is still underway, Curaçao Clean Up said the final weight of all waste collected during the two cleanup days will be announced later this week.
Young people also played a prominent role in this year’s activities. Students from Radulphus College participating as “The Green Wavers” are working together with Kunukuman to raise funds for a 3D printer. Organizers highlighted the initiative as an example of how cooperation and youth involvement can contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable Curaçao.
Fundashon Curaçao Clean Up thanked the thousands of volunteers who participated, ranging from children to adults and representing neighborhoods, schools, social and sports groups, organizations, businesses and individual residents. The oldest participant was 88 years old.
The foundation also expressed appreciation to area coordinators, participating businesses, companies that supplied heavy equipment, other partners and the Curaçao media for helping raise awareness about the importance of keeping the island clean.
According to Curaçao Clean Up, World Clean Up Day is not intended simply as an annual weekend during which residents remove accumulated waste. Its broader objective is to encourage people to recognize their individual responsibility for the environment throughout the year.
Through the Green Wave campaign, the organization is encouraging residents not to leave waste behind, to pick up litter when they encounter it and to become more conscious of how their behavior affects the environment.
“A clean Curaçao is good for all of us — for our health, our living environment and our economy,” the organization said.