Grand Turk does it big, showing up to trash the trash on its pristine shoreline

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, June 22, 2023 – The Community of Grand Turk is being lauded  by the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources for their commitment to cleaning up the island’s shoreline; turnout after a clarion call for support of ‘Operation Beach Cleanup’ was significant.

“It went very well, it was very well supported yesterday and we are so very thankful to the community for showing up,” said Amy Avenant, DECR Environmental Outreach Coordinator.

We are told the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) was also onsite and sponsored the cleanup with sunscreen for all the dedicated workers as well as water and the necessary tools for volunteers to carry out the cleanup.

The June 17 exercise was prompted after massive amounts of garbage, presumably from a neighbouring island or sea dump, washed up onto the Turks and Caicos’ beaches in Grand Turk defiling the pristine coastline.

Though the cleanup, Avenant said the work is not done.

“It made a dent but unfortunately it hasn’t solved the problem. Beaches on the northward side are suffering from the situation.  Long Bay (in Providenciales) has also experienced styrofoam and bottles washing up, so all we can do now is encourage and appeal to the community.”

The DECR is requesting that all islanders walk with a reusable garbage bag and pick up even a few pieces of trash when out on their beach walks.

“Even if you just take five items, that’s five less things that will walk out into the ocean. It’s very exciting that we were able to get the community involved on such short notice; we really can achieve great things when we stand together,” she said excitedly.