Each year, Earth Day serves as a powerful global reminder: the health of our planet depends on the choices we make today. On April 22, 2025, communities worldwide marked the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, with this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” emphasizing collective action toward renewable energy and sustainable practices.
On Saturday, April 26th, team members from Complete Clean proudly joined a vibrant community-led beach cleanup at East End Beach (across from East End Primary School), hosted by Plastic Free Cayman and the Miss Earth Cayman Islands Committee, in partnership with EarthDay.org’s Great Global Cleanup initiative.
From Global Message to Local Impact
The event invited residents to “be part of the global fight against plastic pollution,” reflecting the Earth Day spirit of people-powered action. During the two-hour effort, volunteers successfully removed 54 bags of debris from the shoreline. Red Sail Sports generously sponsored prizes for volunteers, while limited-edition cleanup t-shirts helped raise additional awareness and support.
Participating in this initiative aligns directly with Complete Clean’s mission of promoting sustainability and meaningful community involvement.
“It was inspiring to work alongside Plastic Free Cayman and Miss Earth Cayman Islands Committee. Protecting our local environment is crucial, and we were proud to contribute,” said Luraine Freeman, CEO at Complete Clean.
Building on last year’s Earth Day theme,“Planet vs. Plastics,” this year’s campaign continues to mobilize over a billion people across 190 countries to take tangible steps toward protecting the planet, from advocating for policy reform to joining grassroots cleanups.
The success of the East End Beach cleanup is a testament to what is possible through collective action. Events like these remind us that every small step matters in protecting Cayman’s unique marine environment, from our sea turtles to our coral reefs. Let’s continue drawing inspiration from Earth Day and support the incredible work of groups like Plastic Free Cayman and the Miss Earth Cayman Islands Committee.
Who’s Behind the Movement: The Organizers
Plastic Free Cayman: Founded in 2017, this community-driven non-profit organization is on a mission to eliminate single-use plastics in the Cayman Islands. They work tirelessly through education and awareness campaigns, advocacy efforts like the “Plastic Free 345 Pledge” for businesses, and crucially, consistent action. Their monthly cleanups have already removed thousands of pounds of trash from our beaches, directly protecting our precious marine ecosystems from the devastating impacts of plastic pollution.
Miss Earth Cayman Islands: This committee operates the local chapter of the international Miss Earth pageant, a unique platform established in 2001 that channels the influence of the beauty pageant industry towards promoting environmental awareness and action. Titleholders serve as ambassadors, actively participating in environmental projects like cleanups, tree planting, and educational tours, embodying the pageant’s core value of “Beauties for a Cause.”
Together, these organizations are shaping a cleaner, more responsible Cayman, and Complete Clean is proud to stand with them.
Join Plastic Free Cayman Future Cleanups
Plastic Free Cayman organizes monthly cleanups throughout 2025, with locations announced each month. Here’s a look at their upcoming cleanup dates:
- May 25, 2025
- June 21, 2025
- July 27, 2025
- August 23, 2025
- September 28, 2025
- October 25, 2025
- November 23, 2025
- December 20, 2025 – Christmas Cleanup
Everyone is welcome — no registration needed. Just bring your energy, gloves, a reusable water bottle, and a love for the environment.
For more information or to get involved, follow Plastic Free Cayman on Instagram and Facebook.
