US Embassy supports ‘Operation Clean Sweep’

To promote best practices for proper waste management and recycling mechanisms, the United States embassy partnered with environmental consultant/project director Stephen Newland to host a two-day workshop series called 'Operation Clean Sweep'.

Carried out by Newland in partnership with USAID's Community Empowerment and Transformation Project (Comet II) to address climate-change issues, the workshops were held from November 13-14, 2015 in the communities of Rae Town, Stony Hill and Gregory Park.

The workshops engaged the participants on how to become advocates for good environmental practices that can positively impact their communities. The sessions supported one of the US Mission's primary objectives - enabling Jamaican health and prosperity.

responsible recycling

The United States promotes the protection of public health and the environment to reduce disease and improve quality of life.

In his remarks on November 13 in Gregory Park, St Catherine, the US Embassy's acting public affairs officer, Jeremiah Knight, highlighted the role that all can play in taking care of their

communities. He stated that responsible recycling is one way people can positively help the environment.

Project director Stephen Newland told participants that this initiative is designed to change attitudes among Jamaicans - particularly youth - as it relates to good environmental practices.

In a second upcoming component of the project, residents will participate in a four-week clean-up challenge involving the recycling of plastic bottles within their communities.

Newland facilitated the discourse on environmental and waste-management issues with more than 100 participants from the three targeted communities with the support of several local experts. Other presenters included general manager of Recycle Partners of Jamaica, Marlon Farquharson, Environmental Management Consultant, Dr Chandra Degia, General Practitioner of Peart Medical Centre, Dr James Peart, and PhD Candidate in the Department of Physics at UWI, Dr Kimberly Stephenson.

Participants expressed thanks for the discussions that offered a platform for increased conversation on environmental and recycling efforts.