Second North Ambergris Caye clean-up removes more garbage from the beaches

On December 1st, another beach clean-up took place at the northern beaches of Ambergris Caye. Significant amounts of rubbish were removed from the area stretching from El Norte Bar to Tranquillity Bay. The initiative, led by local resident Elito Arceo, will continue next year to help keep these beaches litter-free. These northern beaches are popular nesting sites for sea turtles, so organizers urge visitors to refrain from littering, as it can severely impact nesting and the health of these pristine environments.
The first clean-up was on November 10th, and volunteers collected 150 large bags of trash. The second clean-up occurred after Tropical Storm Sara on November 17th. Arceo noted that the storm left a significant amount of debris on the beaches. “I have not seen it this bad in a few years,” he said. “It always feels hopeless, as there is simply too much garbage, but we are not giving up.” Arceo continues asking island residents not to litter as Ambergris Caye is their home.
The group included members of the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and the Belize Coast Guard. Arceo expressed disappointment at the amount of trash found, emphasizing that improper garbage disposal remains a major issue on the island. Some volunteers mentioned that they have participated in numerous similar clean-ups on the northern beaches, yet the problems persist. Most of the items collected were made of plastic, which is believed to originate from island residents who visit these areas, with some debris washing ashore.
The second clean-up effort resulted in collecting a significant amount of garbage. SPTC brought in a large dump truck and other vehicles filled with bags full of waste. Arceo and his supporters felt a sense of accomplishment as they helped relieve this remote area of Ambergris Caye from so much rubbish. He expressed the hope that the SPTC would begin to address the issue of improper garbage disposal. Arceo emphasized that without enforcement and penalties for littering, the garbage problem on the northern beaches of Ambergris Caye will persist. He added that the island’s beaches should be accessible to everyone, but people must take responsibility, adopt a sense of civic pride, and contribute to keeping the island clean.
Arceo expressed gratitude to everyone who attended and supported the event. This includes SPTC, Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez, Councillor Johnnia Duarte, Area Representative Honourable Andre Perez, Seaduced by Belize, San Pedro High School, teacher Francisco Castellanos, Jerry Vasquez, and the Belize Coast Guard. Additional acknowledgments go to Bowen and Bowen, Anghe Everitt, and Ilda Ancona from Lino’s Meats.