Working Together for a Plastic Waste-Free Antigua & Barbuda
Creating a Plastic Waste-Free Island starts with education, action, and community. At the West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation, we believe that today’s young people are tomorrow’s environmental leaders. Through our Ocean Love NO Plastic NO Waste Program, we inspire students to protect our oceans by learning through hands-on experiences, creativity, and real environmental action.
We were proud to welcome Jennings Secondary School into our 2026 program and celebrate an incredible journey of learning, teamwork, and environmental stewardship.
Learning Why Our Oceans Matter
Our program began with an interactive guest lecture that introduced students to the Foundation’s mission to protect our marine environment and the effect of plastic pollution on our ocean.
Students discovered how the ocean supports life by providing food, oxygen, livelihoods, and biodiversity throughout Antigua & Barbuda and the wider Caribbean. They also explored the importance of the 4Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle and how simple everyday choices can significantly reduce plastic pollution.
The discussions sparked curiosity, thoughtful questions, and a genuine desire to become part of the solution.
Students Find Their Voice
As part of their assignment, students transformed what they had learned into inspiring poems, dramatic skits, and PowerPoint presentations focused on ocean conservation and plastic pollution.
Their presentations highlighted the devastating effects of plastic waste on marine life, from sea turtles mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish to harmful microplastics entering our food chain. More importantly, they demonstrated that positive change begins with everyday actions.
We were incredibly proud to see the students confidently using their creativity, research, and teamwork to advocate for healthier oceans and a cleaner future for Antigua & Barbuda.
🎥 Watch the students’ inspiring performances on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/shorts/4doe8Jm8Wn4?feature=share
Learning by Doing
One of the highlights of the program was our hands-on workshop and beach clean-up experience. Students rotated between two exciting activities. At the West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation workshop, they learned how discarded plastic can be transformed into valuable new products using our plastic upcycling machines. They even created their own colourful sea creature keychains made from recycled plastic, a memorable reminder that waste can become something beautiful.
Meanwhile, another group headed to Falmouth Beach, where they rolled up their sleeves to remove plastic and other litter from the coastline. Afterwards, the groups swapped activities so every student experienced both environmental restoration and plastic innovation.
This combination of education and action perfectly reflects our philosophy: Action by Doing.
A Lasting Legacy at Jennings Secondary School
One of the most meaningful moments of the program was the donation of an upcycled plastic bench to Jennings Secondary School. What was once 20,000 plastic bottle caps has now been transformed into a beautiful and functional bench for students to enjoy every day. Jennings Secondary School proudly became the first secondary school in Antigua & Barbuda to receive one of these benches through our Ocean Love NO Plastic NO Waste Program.
During the ceremony, students also received their Ocean Lovers Pledge, committing themselves to becoming ambassadors for cleaner oceans and healthier communities.
The event was covered by ABS Television, helping share this inspiring achievement with the wider nation.
🎥 Watch the Bench Donation and Ocean Lovers Pledge Ceremony:
We are incredibly proud of the Jennings Secondary School students for completing the program, and for the enthusiasm, creativity, and teamwork they demonstrated throughout each session. We hope the lessons and experiences gained will continue to inspire positive environmental action within their school, homes, and communities.
Thank You to Our Partners
This program would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and commitment of the students, teachers, and leadership of Jennings Secondary School.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our valued program partners:
- Ambassade de France auprès des États de la Caraïbe Orientale, de la Barbade et de l’OECO
- Sandals Foundation
- CCRIF SPC (Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility)
Your generous support enables us to bring environmental education, beach clean-ups, upcycling workshops, and conservation experiences to schools across Antigua & Barbuda. Together, we are inspiring the next generation to care for our oceans.
We also thank:
- Antigua Barbuda Waste Recycling Corporation (ABREC) for donating plastic to support our upcycling efforts.
- Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme for being the pioneering funders of our Ocean Love No Plastic No Waste Workshop. Your early belief made this initiative possible.
Help Us Reach More Schools
Every workshop, beach clean-up, guest lecture, and upcycled school bench helps create lifelong environmental ambassadors.
With your support, we can expand the Ocean Love NO Plastic NO Waste Program to more schools, provide more hands-on learning opportunities, install additional recycled plastic benches, and inspire even more young people to protect our beautiful islands and seas.
We invite you to support our Ocean Love NO Plastic NO Waste program.
Every contribution helps us reach further and make a bigger impact.
👉 Donate here:
https://www.caribwish.com/donate/
To learn more about the Ocean Love program:
👉 https://www.caribwish.com/ocean-love