WILLEMSTAD – A volunteer cleanup operation along Santa Rosaweg on Sunday, November 8, resulted in the removal of an alarming 341 kilograms of garbage, including hundreds of discarded beer bottles, aluminum cans, and plastic containers.
The cleanup was organized by the Kunuku Man initiative, which conducts weekly activities aimed at combating illegal dumping and littering across Curaçao.
According to a social media report published following the operation, volunteers gathered at the parking area near the church on Santa Rosaweg before working their way toward the roundabout.
The cleanup team collected a considerable amount of waste along the busy roadway, highlighting the continuing problem of irresponsible garbage disposal in public spaces.
Among the items recovered were 890 empty beer bottles weighing approximately 178 kilograms, 660 aluminum cans weighing 11 kilograms, and 400 plastic bottles weighing eight kilograms.
Volunteers also removed another 144 kilograms of miscellaneous garbage, bringing the total amount collected to 341 kilograms.
In total, the volunteers recovered 1,950 discarded bottles and cans, in addition to the other waste.
The Kunuku Man expressed frustration over the amount of garbage found along a road frequently used by motorists and residents.
The initiative described the situation as unacceptable and warned that such large quantities of roadside waste reflect poorly on Curaçao.
The organization has repeatedly emphasized that keeping the island clean requires greater personal responsibility from residents and visitors.
Sunday's findings demonstrate how everyday items, particularly beverage containers, can accumulate along public roads when individuals fail to dispose of their garbage properly.
The Kunuku Man also expressed appreciation to the volunteers who participated in the operation, praising their dedication and hard work.
The initiative stressed that these cleanup activities would not be possible without individuals willing to sacrifice their free time to improve the environment.
However, the organization continues to emphasize that volunteers should not have to repeatedly remove garbage discarded by others.
As part of its weekly public awareness campaign, the Kunuku Man encouraged motorists to keep a small garbage bag inside their vehicles.
Instead of throwing bottles, cans, food packaging, or other waste onto the roadside, drivers and passengers are urged to collect their garbage and dispose of it in their household trash bins when they return home.
The initiative believes this simple habit could significantly reduce the amount of litter accumulating along Curaçao's roads.
The latest cleanup also serves as another reminder of the environmental challenges facing the island, particularly the need for stronger public awareness and more responsible waste disposal practices.
The Kunuku Man continues organizing weekly cleanup operations and welcomes additional volunteers interested in contributing to a cleaner Curaçao.
Residents who wish to participate can contact the initiative through WhatsApp at +5999 563 8674.
Additional information about the organization's activities and Curaçao's litter problem is available at www.kunukuman.com.
While Sunday's volunteers succeeded in removing hundreds of kilograms of garbage from Santa Rosaweg, the initiative's message remains clear: keeping Curaçao clean must become a shared responsibility rather than a task left to a small group of dedicated volunteers.