WILLEMSTAD – Volunteers participating in a community cleanup campaign collected a total of 177 kilograms of litter and waste on Saturday along Kaya C. Winkel and Kaminda Saliña, highlighting ongoing concerns about illegal dumping and littering on Curaçao.
The cleanup was organized by environmental activist "The Kunuku Man" and his team of volunteers, who regularly conduct cleanup operations in neighborhoods across the island.
According to the organizers, volunteers spent several hours removing large quantities of bottles, cans and other debris scattered along roadsides and public areas.
The collected waste included 440 empty beer bottles weighing a combined 88 kilograms, 420 aluminum cans weighing six kilograms, and 350 plastic bottles weighing seven kilograms. An additional 76 kilograms consisted of miscellaneous waste that could not be recycled and was destined for the landfill.
In total, 177 kilograms of trash were removed from the area.
The results prompted renewed calls for residents to take greater responsibility for keeping the island clean.
"Curaçao must be cleaner," the organizers said in a message accompanying the cleanup report, urging the public to dispose of waste properly and help reduce littering across the island.
The Kunuku Man praised the volunteers who participated in the effort, describing them as heroes for their dedication and commitment to improving the environment.
The organization also used the opportunity to remind residents of simple measures that can help reduce litter. One suggestion was for homeowners to place a stone on top of garbage bin lids when bins are placed along the roadside for collection, helping to prevent trash from being blown away by strong winds.
The cleanup campaign has become a regular community initiative and continues to attract volunteers concerned about the growing waste problem on the island.
Organizers announced that no cleanup activity will take place on June 14 due to Curaçao's historic FIFA World Cup match, but weekly cleanup efforts are expected to resume afterward.
The latest collection once again underscores the scale of the litter problem facing Curaçao and the important role volunteers continue to play in keeping public spaces clean.
