PwC helps clean-up Barbados on Coastal Clean-up Day

Bridgetown, Barbados, 20 September 2017 – PwC in Barbados joined the rest of the world on Saturday, September 16 to observe International Coastal Clean-up Day by taking part in the Future Centre Trust's Clean Up Barbados island-wide campaign. 

The group of over 30 volunteers from PwC, along with members of their families and the Barbados Rugby Club gathered early on Saturday morning at Bath Beach, St. John to clean up refuse, which littered the beach, the play park and the surrounding areas. 

Gerry Mahon, Regional Operations Leader at PwC, who was impressed with the turnout said, "Whilst the National Conservation Commission does a very good job of keeping this and other areas clean, we were pleased to be able to offer our assistance in cleaning-up the garbage that has accumulated. 

This is very much in keeping with PwC’s purpose, which is to Build trust in society and solve important problems. The pollution of our beaches and waterways is a growing environmental issue and this is one way PwC can help to solve a problem that affects all of us. We also encourage our fellow Barbadians to be more conscientious when disposing of garbage." 

Michelle White-Ying, Human Capital Leader said, “PwC is happy to have been part of this great initiative and looks forward to continuing our efforts in ensuring that our communities are kept clean, not only in Barbados, but across the Caribbean. Our firms work towards controlling/limiting our impact on our environment, which is why we continue to make this annual beach clean-up an important date in our calendar. We also have a recycling programme and other initiatives in our office to reduce our impact on the environment.”

The group collected 160kg (353 pounds) of materials which could not be recycled and 97kg (214 pounds) of materials which could be recycled.  Bottles, beer bottle caps and plastic bottle caps formed a significant portion of what was collected and all of these things can be recycled and/or reused.  The materials collected pose a threat to our environment both in clogging up drains, which can cause flooding, and endangering the reef, fish and turtles all of which are vital parts of our ecosystem and livihood.  

PwC staff, family and friends after clean-up of Bath Beach in St. John on International Coast Clean-up Day.