Pride, students clean
Great Bay Beach
PHILIPSBURG--Some 24 fourth graders of Sister Marie Laurence School recently joined anti-litter and environmental group St. Maarten Pride Foundation in a beach cleanup exercise.
The students combed the lower Great Bay Beach for trash and litter, picking up beer bottles, soda can rings, Styrofoam, and other picnic trash left behind by what Pride President Jadira Veen said were “irresponsible and thoughtless persons using the public beach.”
The group was given a lecture on anti-littering and pollution by Environmental Inspector Irving Esdaille.
Esdaille informed the gathering that littering can lead to a fine of US$100 or NAf. 100. He mentioned a NAf. 100 fine that he had handed down to a young man who had been caught throwing a bottle over his shoulder in the vicinity of the harbour.
In response to questions from students, Esdaille said polluters could get community service as an alternative to being sent to jail.
Veen said the Foundation will continue with its educational activities to enlighten students about the environment.
All trash bags were removed from the beach by Clean St. Maarten N.V.
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