On September 19, 2026, communities across the Caribbean came together for International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD), the world’s largest single-day volunteer environmental event, led by a major regional non-profit. The Sandals Foundation, an organization focused on fostering long-term environmental stewardship across Caribbean communities, coordinated more than 700 volunteers across multiple island nations for the annual initiative.
In the nation of Antigua and Barbuda, 60 participants gathered at the country’s northern coast to clear litter from popular shorelines and surrounding natural areas. The local volunteer cohort included staff from Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa, youth members of the Antigua and Barbuda Scout Association, and individual local community members. Over the course of the day, teams worked to remove waste from Dickenson Bay, Runaway Bay, the grounds surrounding the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa, and the outer edges of a nearby salt pond, a critical local ecosystem.
Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, emphasized that the annual event serves as a global moment of collective action to protect shared marine resources. “International Coastal Cleanup Day is a dedicated time where the world comes together to show solidarity and care for our oceans,” Clarke explained. “We continue to embed environmental stewardship across our region by mobilizing community members, empowering everyday people to take tangible action to protect our coastlines. Every small action adds up, and we are continuously encouraged by the steady support and collaboration from our partners and volunteers who show up year after year.”
David Latchimy, General Manager of Sandals Grande Antigua, noted that the resort’s long-standing partnership with the foundation aligns with its core commitment to advancing regional environmental sustainability. “We are proud to stand with a shared commitment to protecting Antigua and Barbuda’s stunning natural coastline and unique ecosystems,” Latchimy said.
Leon Norville, Sandals Public Relations Manager and Sandals Foundation representative, added that the 2026 initiative went far beyond just removing accumulated trash from beaches. “This year’s cleanup gave us a critical opportunity to turn broad environmental awareness into meaningful, collective community action,” Norville explained. “ICCD is about more than picking up litter—it’s about nurturing a deeper sense of environmental responsibility within every generation. Working alongside our community partners let us engage young people directly in this mission, showing them firsthand how vital it is to protect the natural spaces we all rely on and enjoy. We are incredibly proud of every volunteer who joined us, and deeply grateful to the Antigua and Barbuda Scout Association for their partnership on this important work.”
The 2026 ICCD effort is just one part of the Sandals Foundation’s 17-year history of regional environmental action. Since the organization launched its conservation programming in 2009, it has mobilized nearly 200,000 people across the Caribbean to participate in a wide range of initiatives. These efforts extend far beyond annual coastal cleanups, and include long-term projects such as active marine sanctuary management, large-scale coral reef restoration, community-focused environmental education programs, and cross-regional biodiversity conservation projects.