National Netball Team, Youth MPs and Everyone in Between Come Together for Beach Clean-up in Montserrat
- James Clark
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 4
On 5th May 2025 (Labour Day in Montserrat) the island took decisive action against plastic pollution as the first activity of the King’s Baton Relay’s journey through the territory. Despite challenging weather conditions, the community-led clean-up, organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society’s country partner; the Montserrat National Trust, successfully removed 2,075 pieces of plastic waste, preventing them from entering Commonwealth waters.
The event was not only an environmental intervention, but also a public demonstration of the damaging effects of plastic pollution and the positive, community-driven spirit that makes clean-ups both meaningful and enjoyable.
The clean-up attracted a diverse group of volunteers. As ever, the local Commonwealth Games Association provided invaluable support, the Montserrat National Netball Team joined in, and local politicians and Youth Parliamentarians worked shoulder-to-shoulder with members of the public to make a visible difference.
The Montserrat National Trust, a leading conservation organisation, played a pivotal role in the initiative. The Trust funds environmental projects, leads conservation campaigns, and works to educate the local community about the importance of protecting the natural environment. Its expertise in ocean conservation focuses on preserving the aesthetic, ecological, and economic value of Montserrat’s marine ecosystems.
Montserrat, a small volcanic island with a population of around 5,000 and a British Overseas Territory. The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, is traveling alongside the King’s Baton Relay, and Montserrat hosted some amazing activities to promote the baton and the 2026 Glasgow games, including visiting the island’s exclusion zone near the Soufrière Hills Volcano, which last erupted in 1997.
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN.
The Royal Commonwealth Society’s Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign will prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways.
The campaign will combine education and local action to encourage people to reduce their plastic waste, highlight alternatives, and reduce pollution across the Commonwealth.
For the action component of the campaign, the Royal Commonwealth Society has partnered with Commonwealth Sport to deliver the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign as a core component of The King’s Baton Relay. This newly envisioned King’s Baton Relay will focus on sustainability and environmentalism and was launched by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day 2025, beginning a 500-day journey to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July 2026.
Journeying through every Commonwealth nation and territory, this partnership will bring together young people, athletes, conservation groups, and the local community for a week of activities, including a plastic clean-up.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
