WPM Waste Management Limited Undertakes Beautification in Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny

Residents of Cooper’s Pen in Trelawny are the beneficiaries of a major beautification exercise that was undertaken by WPM Waste Management Limited on Tuesday (February 13).

The engagement, dubbed ‘For the Love of the Environment Cleanup and Beautification Initiative’ and which doubled as a Valentine’s Day project, was aimed at enhancing the community’s appeal, particularly for tourism, and promoting an appreciation for the environment.

WPM Waste Management’s Regional Operations Manager, Edward Muir, told JIS News that the day’s activities included a comprehensive cleanup of the community, removal of a deteriorated garbage skip, painting of walls, and planting flowers.

“Also, very important is [the fact] that we are demonstrating to residents how important it is to reuse some of what is being disposed of such as old handbags [and] shoes. We are using some of those to plant flowers in and to beautify the area,” he explained.

“We are showing residents that, through partnership, we can create a very friendly environment by beautifying the area. Also, when tourists come to this area, they can see that we, as Jamaicans, are trying our best to ensure that we have a clean and beautiful environment,” Mr. Muir further stated.

He indicated that in addition to the beautification efforts, members of the enforcement arm of parent entity, the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), will be actively engaging with businesses and residents in Cooper’s Pen to educate them about the proper disposal of garbage.

“We will [also] be distributing some new garbage drums in the community. So, in short order… we will move into the community and issue about 50 drums to the residents,” Mr. Muir outlined.

“We expect the residents to buy into this initiative. In fact, the residents have been supporting us with this venture, and we hope that other communities will follow [suit] and help us to ensure that we have a clean environment,” he added.

Cooper’s Pen resident, Andrew McKoy, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the NSWMA and WPM Waste Management Limited, noting that what was being done was not only nice for the community, but also uplifting.

He was optimistic that the residents will endeavour to keep Cooper’s Pen clean, to serve as a testament to the positive outcomes that can be achieved through community partnerships and environmental stewardship.

Tuesday’s exercise formed part of a broader effort by WPM Waste Management Limited and the NSWMA to promote environmental sustainability in western Jamaica.

Mr. Muir indicated that over the past year, five such projects were undertaken in Trelawny, in addition to other engagements in Hanover, Westmoreland and St. James.