In a bold pivot from conventional cleanup efforts, Jamaica is witnessing a powerful shift—one driven not by policy, but by the voices of its youngest citizens.
At the heart of this transformation is MPM Waste Management Limited, which on June 6 hosted an engaging environmental expo at Rudolph Elder Park in Morant Bay, St. Thomas. The event wasn’t your typical public outreach—it was a staging ground for a new generation of eco-leaders.
Children from across the parish gathered not only to compete, but to showcase creative solutions for reducing waste. From recycled art installations to catchy jingles on plastic pollution, the young participants proved that innovation and advocacy are no longer reserved for adults.
“This isn’t just a one-day event—it’s a long-term investment in national behaviour change,” said Dramaine Jones, Regional Operations Manager at MPM. “When you engage children early, you’re not just educating them—you’re equipping every household they’re part of with new values.”
The initiative aligns with the broader mission of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), which oversaw the cleaning of Morant Bay’s town centre in preparation for the event. The effort was symbolic: a clean start for a cleaner mindset.
Member of Parliament for St. Thomas Eastern, Dr. Michelle Charles, echoed the call for a cultural shift. “Recycling is not a trend—it’s a duty,” she said. “It’s time we all, regardless of age, see environmental care as a personal responsibility.”
The event’s theme, ‘Pass Di Broom: End Plastic Pollution, the Future is Reusable’, served as both a directive and a metaphor—sweeping away outdated habits and passing the tools for change to the next in line.
With school-based engagement now central to MPM’s outreach strategy, Jamaica’s environmental movement is getting younger, louder, and more creative. And if the energy at Rudolph Elder Park was any indication, the island’s environmental future isn’t just in good hands—it’s in bold, determined ones.
