LocationsNearly 200 residents clear 2000 tonnes of debris benefitting 19 000 residents, under hurricane recovery initiative
Hurricane-hit communities explore recycling Melissa debris during cash-for-work clean-up
August 26, 2026
Welder, Garth Martin of Petersfield community in Westmoreland poses with a garbage bin he created from recycled hurricane Melissa debris
UNDP MCO in Jamaica/Sheldon Levene
Hurricane Melissa trash is becoming valuable resources for homes and schools in two western communities devastated by hurricane Melissa, as the circular economy emerges as a force for change during citizen-led cleanup efforts in aid of Jamaica’s hurricane recovery.
Residents of Petersfield in Westmoreland have converted damaged chairs, fallen trees and discarded zinc into garbage bins for the community and picnic tables for the Petersfield High School, partnering with 360 Recycling Manufacturing. In Sawyers, Trelawny, residents created picnic tables from fallen trees, for a newly created community spot and recreational spaces, while lumber and zinc are being repurposed for home reconstruction in both communities.
The recycling activities form part of a major debris clean-up programme with nearly 200 residents across four communities participating under a cash-for- work emergency employment modality. Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the CARICOM Development Fund, the cleanup was coordinated on the ground by Project Star, Project ICE Jamaica Ltd, the Sawyers Forest Management Benevolent Society, the Petersfield Galloway Benevolent Society, under UNDP’s Jamaica Resilient Recovery Initiative (JARRI).
Nearly 2000 tonnes of debris combined has been cleared in Petersfield and Savanna La Mar in Westmoreland; Sawyers in Trelawny and Salt Spring in St James, benefitting more than 19 000 residents across four communities, NGO and community leadership reported.
“This programme was about much more than removing debris. It was about restoring access, reducing risks, creating opportunities, and helping communities regain a sense of hope and control over their future,” UNDP Assistant Resident Representative Lesley Ann Ennevor stated during closing ceremonies to publicly thank the residents. She said the communities’ achievements stand as evidence of what can be accomplished when communities, local organizations, donors, and development partners work together on a shared vision. Ms Ennevor expressed appreciation to the CARICOM Development Fund for their financial support and declared that their support had enabled communities like Petersfield and Sawyers to take important steps toward restoring safety, dignity, and normalcy after the Hurricane.
360 Recycling Manufacturing, commissioned by UNDP for the Petersfield clean-up, touted the benefits of recycling and called on residents to be innovative and creative. “Once you have an idea you can use any material to create (something new), said Kisha Delisa Cole, Administrative Director and Co-Owner. “All you need is a will and a desire, and that is a circular economy right there,” she stated.
Rohan Green, Principal of the Petersfield High School says he was overjoyed when the team collected hurricane debris on the school compound in exchange for completed benches and garbage bins. "Ever since those benches have been there, students have been using them daily” in between classes and lunch breaks, he explained. Principal Green also indicated that recycled assets have helped facilitate group work while providing alternative learning spaces outside the classroom.
Petersfield Meat shop owner Steve Terrelonge said “we have learned so much from this programme about recycling. A lot of stuff that we would have burned – because we wouldn't know what to do with it – we learned we can recycle, reuse and repurpose.” He said they learned to make furniture from items they planned to dump and to use discarded lumber to build back their houses.
“The Cash for Work programme was very beneficial to the community. We were able to bring it back to what we know it was before. (As a result), persons are now able to go to the shops; access their places of worship and collect water once again from the community catchment, reported Christina Sinclair, Administrator with the Sawyers Forest Management Benevolent Society.
Antoinette Martinez, Project ICE JA director who coordinated the Petersfield cleanup said the partnership with the Petersfield Galloway Benevolent Society successfully employed residents, with income helping to support their recovery. "Residents were able to put something back in their pockets, and that's what we wanted – to bring back that smile to their faces," she said.
Residents also hailed the cash for work component of the programme that paid participants in the clean-up programme a living wage under an emergency employment modality. “The Cash for Work income put me back on my feet reasonably with enough to purchase my own tools painting and carpentry,” said Gregory Anthony of Sawyers.
Norma Fenton, president of the Petersfield Galloway Benevolent Society said residents were once afraid to walk in their community after hurricane Melissa. “But now it's a new community because when you walk through, all the old zinc, the wires and all the debris, most of them, thank God, they are out,” she said.
UNDP launched the Jamaica Resilient Recovery Initiative in November 2025 with an initial investment of USD $2.4million of grants from the European Union, Australia AID, CARICOM Development Fund and UNDP’s core resources. JARRI supports: Resilient recovery policy and planning; Debris management collaborations; Livelihoods recovery for SMEs led by women and persons with disabilities; community solar solutions and new roofing systems; Capacity development and establishment of Technical Assistance Centres (TACs) offering guidance and support on climate resilient build back better methods.