St. Maarten Development Fund - SMDF

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲: 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐧 (𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐂)

Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) has long been at the forefront of conservation work, blending education, research, and community action to safeguard the natural beauty of our island and region. From awareness campaigns to coastal cleanups, they’ve consistently championed a more sustainable future.

With support from VNACS through SMDF, EPIC is expanding its Perpetual Plastics project, a recycling initiative that transforms community-collected plastic waste into functional items. The project now includes upgraded, safer equipment and workspace modifications that make participation accessible to volunteers of all abilities, in collaboration with the Sister Basilia Center at the White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation. It’s sustainability in action, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, dignity, and environmental care.

SMDF is proud to support EPIC as they continue building solutions that protect our environment while ensuring everyone has the opportunity to take part. These are the changemakers proving that sustainability is not just about reducing waste, it’s about creating systems that care for both people and planet.