International Coastal Cleanup: Volunteers Remove 2 Tonnes of Waste from St Martin's Island

A Major Cleanup Effort on St Martin’s Island

On December 7, volunteers from across Bangladesh joined forces to remove nearly two tonnes of waste from the beaches of St Martin's Island. This initiative, led by Unilever Bangladesh and Kewkradong Bangladesh, was part of the International Coastal Cleanup 2025. The event took place on the ecologically sensitive island, drawing in hundreds of youth and local residents to help protect its fragile coastline.

A total of 500 volunteers, including students from universities and members of local communities, participated in the cleanup. Over the course of the event, they collected 1,850 kilograms of waste, which is approximately two tonnes. The waste included a wide range of items such as food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles, bottle caps, plastic bags, utensils, lids, and even abandoned fishing nets.

The collected waste was transported to the mainland for safe disposal, according to a press release issued on Sunday. This effort not only helped to clean up the beaches but also raised awareness about the importance of proper waste management.

This year's cleanup was strategically arranged on the first weekend of the tourist season to ensure that visitors would be more aware of the environmental challenges facing the island. Volunteers also conducted awareness campaigns and community activities aimed at encouraging responsible plastic waste disposal. These efforts were designed to inspire long-term behavioral changes among residents and tourists alike.

Kewkradong Bangladesh, the national coordinator for the US-based Ocean Conservancy, has been organizing cleanups on St Martin's Island for 15 years. Their work along the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf peninsula and the island has contributed valuable research data to global marine debris records. This ongoing commitment highlights the importance of sustained environmental protection efforts.

Unilever Bangladesh, a key player in the country's plastic waste value chain, operates the largest plastic waste management initiative in Chattogram. The company promotes solutions aimed at reducing the use of virgin plastic, implementing refill systems, and raising consumer awareness about sustainable practices.

Shamima Akhter, Director for Corporate Affairs, Partnerships and Communications at UBL, emphasized the importance of plastic packaging for product safety while acknowledging the need to address its environmental impact. She stated:

"Plastic packaging remains essential for product safety, but its environmental impact must be tackled through better design, reduced virgin plastic use, and expanded recycling."

She added that the collaboration in the International Coastal Cleanup 2025 reflects this commitment in action, mobilizing youth and communities to protect a fragile ecosystem.

Muntasir Mamun, the country co-coordinator of Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup, highlighted the significance of Bangladesh's beaches as national treasures. He noted that these areas face growing threats from changing socioeconomic conditions.

"We believe Unilever's proactive environmental stewardship will reach a new height as our partnership will inspire others to do what is good for Bangladesh," he said.

Key Highlights from the Cleanup Event

• Volunteer Participation: Over 500 volunteers from universities and local communities took part in the cleanup.
• Waste Collected: A total of 1,850 kilograms of waste was removed from the beaches.
• Types of Waste: The waste included food wrappers, plastic bottles, bottle caps, plastic bags, utensils, and fishing nets.
• Awareness Campaigns: Volunteers conducted campaigns to promote responsible waste disposal and encourage long-term behavioral change.
• Partnership Efforts: Unilever and Kewkradong Bangladesh have been working together for over a decade to protect the environment.