GUN Boat Beach in Kingston was the focus as representatives of the GraceKennedy Foundation (GKF), in collaboration with The Ocean Cleanup and Clean Harbours Jamaica, participated in the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2025.

Volunteers from schools, community groups, and other Kingston Harbour Cleanup Project (KHCP) partner organisations joined the clean-up which removed more than 4,500 kilogrammes of waste from the Kingston Harbour coastline.

The effort was also supported by 146 GraceKennedy team members and their families, demonstrating the group’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Since its launch in 2022, The KHCP has removed more than three million kilogrammes of waste from Kingston Harbour through Interceptor™ barrier technology at the mouths of nine gullies emptying into the Harbour, and a series of coastal clean-ups.

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda, who attended this year’s event, spoke about the project’s year round impact.

“The Kingston Harbour Cleanup Project has already intercepted waste from nine of Kingston’s 11 most polluting gullies. Thanks to their daily work, we are seeing far less waste in Kingston Harbour than before. There’s still a long way to go, but this proves that when government, the private sector, and NGOs work together, anything is possible,” said Samuda.

The ICC Day event was also supported by Recycling Partners of Jamaica, who collected all plastic waste removed during the clean-up and engaged volunteers through its educational booth. Volunteers at the clean-up were encouraged to take plastics from home for recycling, reinforcing the message that environmental stewardship begins with individual responsibility.

The clean-up also featured interactive competitions to engage volunteers. Teams competed for several awards, including the Heavyweight Champ award for collecting the most waste by weight.

There was also a jingle competition, during which teams performed original songs incorporating the words, ‘Kingston Harbour,’ ‘Beach clean-up,’ and ‘Sea the Change’.

The Earth365 Spirit Award was given to the most enthusiastic GK team; and the Golden Egg Scavenger Hunt, powered by Café Blue, rewarded lucky participants with Café Blue gift vouchers.

“The energy and enthusiasm we saw at today’s clean-up remind us that change is possible when we all play our part. Every item removed from the coastline brings us closer to a cleaner Kingston Harbour and a healthier planet,” said Caroline Mahfood, CEO of GraceKennedy Foundation.

“I am deeply grateful to every volunteer and partner organisation who gave their time and effort to this cause,” added Mahfood.

GKF has hosted ICC Day activities along the Kingston Harbour coastline since 2015.

Chief operating officer of First Global Bank Terry-Ann Graver (left); Caroline Mahfood (centre) CEO, GraceKennedy Foundation; and Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda, at the clean-up at Gun Boat Beach on International Coastal Cleanup Day.

Jermaine Benjamin, executive close protection officer and intelligence analyst at GraceKennedy Limited, helps clear trash from the mangroves at Gun Boat Beach.