WILLEMSTAD – Volunteers from Team Kunuku Man collected 58 kilograms of waste along Aruba Street, despite the area having already been cleaned earlier in the week as part of activities surrounding the Kaya Kaya Festival.
The environmental volunteer group said the amount of garbage accumulated along the roadside within only a few days, renewing concerns about littering and irresponsible waste disposal in Curaçao.
During the latest cleanup, volunteers collected 27 kilograms of empty beer bottles, four kilograms of plastic bottles and two kilograms of aluminum cans.
Another 25 kilograms consisted of miscellaneous waste destined for the landfill, including plastic bags, foam food containers, plastic cutlery and other lightweight single-use items.
Together, the volunteers removed 58 kilograms of waste from the area.
Team Kunuku Man expressed frustration that so much garbage could accumulate shortly after a previous cleanup. The organization said littering damages Curaçao’s environment while also creating a poor impression for visitors.
The group is urging residents to stop throwing bottles, cans, food containers and other waste along roadsides and in public areas.
Team Kunuku Man also reminded the public that glass, plastic bottles and aluminum cans can be turned in through its recycling initiative in exchange for money. Other household waste, the organization stressed, should be properly disposed of rather than left along roads and in nature.
The organization thanked the volunteers who participated in the Aruba Street cleanup and again called on residents to take greater responsibility for keeping the island clean.
Team Kunuku Man has for years organized volunteer cleanups while drawing attention to Curaçao’s persistent litter problem. The group says lasting improvement will ultimately depend not only on cleanup efforts, but also on residents changing the way they dispose of their waste.
