PHILIPSBURG:--- While residents and visitors enjoy Sint Maarten's beaches in large numbers through-out the year, Christmas, Holy Week, Good Friday and the Easter holidays are undoubtedly the days when the island's beaches are visited the most. In recent years there has been a trend whereby many of the island's beaches are left covered in garbage in particular after the major holidays mentioned above. The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, Environmental Protection In the Caribbean and Pride Foundation are therefore urging residents, visitors and organizations to dispose of their garbage responsibly during and after all beach visits.
Last year eighteen garbage bins were placed on Mullet Bay Beach and four on Kim Sha Beach in partnership with the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, Environmental Protection In the Caribbean (EPIC), St. Maarten Pride Foundation, St. Maarten Timeshare Association and The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment and Infrastructure.
Preparations are currently being made to place garbage bins on other beaches in cooperation with relevant community councils.
The Tourist Bureau and the Environmental Foundations are calling on the general public to please make proper use of the garbage bins on the island's beaches. Small waste items from beach parties, barbecues etc. should be disposed of in the nearest garbage bin which isn't yet full or put in the large garbage containers such as the one placed on the Mullet Bay Beach parking-lot.
Odd-sized, large garbage items and full garbage bags should not be placed, in, on, next to or around the small garbage bins nor anywhere else on the beach. These items should be disposed of in the aforementioned large garbage containers or taken back home if no containers are available in the immediate area.
The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, Environmental Protection In the Caribbean and Pride Foundation wish everyone a blessed and safe Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter weekend.
Thanks for helping us keep Sint Maarten clean!
The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau,
Environmental Protection In the Caribbean
Sint Maarten Pride Foundation
