PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Just over 4,000 pounds of garbage were collected in just under 4 hours by volunteers at the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) held on September 17, 2016 at the Las Cuevas Beach Facility.

Coordinated by the Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Development Company Limited (TDC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Coca Cola Bottlers, and Alstons Marketing Company Limited (AMCO), the clean-up attracted approximately 360 volunteers, including members of the Protectors of the Environment (POE), a Las Cuevas community group.

Warren Solomon, TDC’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, who joined the volunteers on the beach, said that “the TDC is pleased to do its part in ridding the nation’s ocean way of debris and providing a comfortable and enjoyable beach and sea-bathing experience for all. Being able to do so with members of the Las Cuevas community, as well as corporate partners, really made the effort more satisfying.”

The TDC is a member of the ICC National Planning Committee which was formed to facilitate the active involvement of various stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago’s national clean-up exercise, spearheaded globally by Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit organization whose work has been instrumental in highlighting the global problem of marine pollution, guiding international policy development and engaging people in protecting the ocean and its wildlife.

Trinidad & Tobago is located in the southeastern region of the Caribbean. With its careful approach to tourism, the dual-island nation offers a distinct blend of culture, eclectic cuisine and an assortment of eco-adventure activities. Trinidad, the ‘cultural capital of the Caribbean,’ is home to the world famous Carnival and the birthplace of the steel pan, the only new musical instrument to be invented in the 20th century. It is also home to one of the world’s top three nesting sites for endangered leatherback turtles and world class fine flavored cocoa. Tobago, sister island to Trinidad, is the quintessential Caribbean paradise with secluded beaches, quaint villages, private villas and award-winning eco-attractions that include the Main Ridge Rainforest, the oldest protected reserve in the western hemisphere and the six-time award winner for World’s Leading Ecotourism Destination by the World Travel Awards.

For more information on Trinidad & Tobago, visit gotrinidadandtobago.com or visittobago.gov.tt

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