First Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Clean-up in Trinidad and Tobago

The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign is an exciting new initiative and integral part of The King’s Baton Relay (KBR), launched by His Majesty The King on Commonwealth Day at Buckingham Palace.  

The campaign is focused on tackling plastic pollution and promoting environmental sustainability across the Commonwealth, with clean-up events taking place alongside the King’s Baton Relay, in each of the 74 countries and territories involved before reaching the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.  

Trinidad and Tobago had the unique honour of being the first stop in the 500-day journey of the King’s Baton Relay. This marked a significant milestone in the campaign’s mission to raise awareness and drive action on ocean plastics. 

On 12 March, the first Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics clean-up event took place at Invader’s Bay, near St. James in Trinidad. The event, which was organised and hosted by the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD), the regional partner for the campaign, was a resounding success. The day brought together 70 enthusiastic volunteers, including students from St. Bernadette Preparatory School and St. Francois Girls’ College, who rolled up their sleeves to collect plastic waste from the shoreline. 

The clean-up event was attended by several key figures, including Marissa Mohammed, the Executive Director of CNIRD, Dianne Henderson, the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association (TTCGA), and Claire Nichols, the Deputy Acting High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Trinidad and Tobago. Their participation underscored the campaign's importance and their commitment to preserving the environment for future generations. 

Marissa Mohammed expressed CNIRD’s excitement in being a partner for the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, noting that the organisation was particularly thrilled to be the first to lead this important initiative. As the starting point in this 74-stage journey around the Commonwealth, CNIRD was proud to play a role in raising awareness about the issue of plastic pollution. The campaign’s goal to make the Commonwealth Games more sustainable and environmentally conscious was a message that resonated deeply with everyone involved. 

The event in Trinidad and Tobago marked the beginning of a larger movement, one that encourages nations across the Commonwealth to take collective action in protecting our oceans and reducing plastic waste. It’s an inspiring reminder that even small efforts, like a shoreline clean-up, can have a significant impact on the health of our planet. 

Stay tuned for more updates as the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign continues to spread across the Commonwealth, bringing communities together to protect our oceans and build a more sustainable future for the next generation. 

Found out how you can get involved in the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign!