Almost 7,000 lbs (over 3 metric tons) of waste — 45 percent of which was recycled by Ericco Enterprises for shipment off island — has been hauled from Wing beach, Garapan Fishing Basin, 13 Fishermen Monument, Kilili Beach, Susupe Park, Sugar Dock, Laolao and Obyan beaches.
This project would not have been possible without the Adopt-a-Bin sponsors who pay for weekly trash collection services and funding provided through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“We are committed to taking a lead in environmental stewardship,” said Joven Cruz of Tan Holdings.
The company adopted Susupe Park in 2008 and has been helping the Department of Land and Natural Resources to renovate the park’s pavilions, and keep the grounds clean.
“When we learned of MINA’s Adopt-a-Bin Program we knew it would further enhance the beauty of the park if refuse and recyclables were properly collected….company management immediately were in support of this green action,” said Cruz.
Ted Parker said he decided to have his business adopt a bin because “Brabu Pharmacy is part of the community, and as such, we have a responsibility to improve our surroundings.”
Glen Perez of the Rotary Club of Saipan, another bin sponsor, commented, “The project is definitely good for the island. The more bins out there for locals and tourists to see, the more they will understand the goals the island wants to convey to everyone, which is not to litter.”
Parker agreed, saying, “Anything we can do as a community to maintain a clean environment for our residents and especially our tourists is worthwhile. It just makes the island a nicer place to live.”
Although MINA’s initial goal was to provide just seven sets of bins, the program has been a wild success with nine sets already in place and more adoptions on the way.
MINA is currently finalizing “adoption papers” with IT&E and Docomo for two more locations, one at the Ada Gym.
“This area gets more water bottles and recyclable material than any other area in Saipan that I have seen. From what I have heard from other people the recycling bins are doing really well,” said Nick Swain, a field coordinator for the gym.
To promote the use of the bins and proper waste disposal, MINA has also been at work raising community and visitor awareness about the harm posed by marine debris and what one can do to help prevent it. MINA volunteers are giving classroom presentations at schools, deputizing litter patrol officers, and manning booths at the Sabalu and Thursday night markets to spread the word.
“It is our hope that people will be convinced to take some simple steps to lessen this growing problem for our oceans,” said Agnes Sablan, MINA executive director.
“Plastics do not degrade easily and are the largest contributor to marine debris. The less we consume, the less we have to worry about throwing away. A simple first step for anyone to take is to say ‘no’ to an offered plastic bag at the store and use your own reusable bag instead. It’s that easy.”
MINA is currently looking for more outreach volunteers. For their efforts, volunteers earn a limited edition volunteer t-shirt, reusable shopping bag, and a set of three UV-resistant stackable recycling bins for their home or place of business, paid for with funding from NOAA’s marine debris program.
If you are interested in MINA’s adopt-a-bin program, wish to become an outreach volunteer, or just want to learn more, contact 233-Reef, [email protected], or visit MINA’s website: www.minapacific.org click on the “goals and project” tab for more information.
