On Sunday, September 27, at 7:00 a.m., our team at the Green Movement set out to begin our first Community Clean-Up Initiative in La Feuille, Monchy. We had identified areas along the roadside that needed attention, and our intention was to get out there, put in the work and make a practical difference.
What we encountered reminded us that there was more work to be done than we had initially anticipated.
Starting at the main road bus area, our team of six worked along the roadside towards with the intention of making our way downhill near the entrance to the Vieux Sucre back road Gap, removing litter along the way. Near the Monchy entrance, we also encountered a considerable accumulation of discarded household items and other debris.
What we had planned as a roadside clean-up became a broader undertaking, bringing into focus an issue that goes beyond the waste we see along our roads. It reminded us that keeping our communities clean requires ongoing effort, greater awareness and a willingness to take responsibility for the spaces we share.
This experience marked the beginning of “Let’s Move Together,” our Community Clean-Up Initiative, and reinforced why we felt it was important to take this step.
Why We Decided to Move Beyond Our Daily Operations
At The Green Movement, waste management is a significant part of what we do. As a Saint Lucian company also involved in trucking, construction and related services, we understand the importance of proper waste collection and disposal.
But we also recognize that collection alone cannot address every challenge affecting our surroundings.
Cleaner communities require responsible disposal practices, education and the participation of the people who live, work and spend time in them. We believe there is value in moving beyond our regular operations and creating opportunities for people to come together, identify areas that need attention and take action.
That is the thinking behind “Let’s Move Together.”
We do not see this initiative as simply turning up at a location, removing waste and moving on. Our hope is to encourage a greater sense of community responsibility — one where people recognize that they can contribute to the condition of their surroundings and become part of the effort to improve them.
Our first clean-up in La Feuille, Monchy, was one small step in that direction.
Cleaner Communities Require All of Us
As we worked along the roadside and encountered the discarded household items, we were reminded that maintaining clean surroundings cannot rest on one company or a small group of volunteers alone.
We all have a part to play.
Sometimes, that contribution means volunteering a few hours to help clean an area. At other times, it means disposing of unwanted items responsibly, keeping our immediate surroundings clean or encouraging others to be more mindful of how they handle their waste.
Education is equally important.
We want to encourage conversations about proper waste disposal and the importance of caring for shared spaces, without pointing fingers or assigning blame. Our focus is on what we can do together to make a difference.
Clean-up activities can address waste that has already accumulated, but continued community participation and responsible practices are important if we want those improvements to last.
We recognize that more hands, greater awareness and stronger collaboration can help us extend our efforts and reach more communities.
Where Do We Move Next?
We started in La Feuille, Monchy, with a team of six. Now, we want to invite more people to join us.
As we look towards our next community clean-up, we are considering whether to extend our efforts further within Monchy or move to another location identified by the public. We would welcome suggestions from residents and community groups about areas that need attention.
There are several ways to become involved in “Let’s Move Together”:
• Nominate a community or location that could benefit from a clean-up.
•Volunteer your time and join us during a future activity.
• Contribute supplies or other resources to support our work.
• Partner with us to help bring the initiative to more communities.
• Take responsibility for your surroundings by practicing proper waste disposal and encouraging others to do the same.
You do not have to be part of a large organization to make a contribution. Every person who is willing to help, encourage responsible behavior or support a community effort can play a role.
We took the first step because we believe cleaner communities are worth working towards. We hope that, as the initiative continues, more individuals, businesses and community groups will see an opportunity to get involved.
So, which community should we move to next?
We invite you to share your suggestions, volunteer or discuss how you can support a future clean-up.
Contact Green Movement at 758-518-2477 or thegreenmovementslu@gmail.com to get involved.
Our first clean-up was a beginning. What comes next depends on the willingness of all of us to participate, take responsibility and work together.
Beyond the roadside, there is an opportunity to make a difference. Let’s Move Together — cleaner communities are a shared responsibility.