Using Trash to Make Things Better®
Ambergris Caye is an island off the coast of Belize with a trash problem.
I visited Ambergris Caye in 2016 and again in 2018. It’s a big and beautiful island, surrounded by crystal-clear Caribbean waters and 25 miles of barrier reef sitting less than a mile offshore. The island – with star-white beaches and seaside piers – was recently ranked one of 5 favorite islands in Mexico and Central and South America by readers of Travel & Leisure magazine. And rightfully so. But Ambergris Caye has a trash problem. Both residential and commercial waste lands in the streets, not in the landfill. And that’s harmful to both the local economy and the environment. Trash near marine environments can…
- Degrade the quality of life in coastal communities
- Harm or kill wildlife
- Damage habitats
- Cause economic loss to fishing industries
- Deter tourists, creating a lack of revenue for locals
- And much more
Floridians know this.
On Ambergris Caye in 2016 I read a book by Barbara Brown Taylor about living with purpose and revering the world we live in. Midway through the book – amidst memorable storytelling and striking imagery – Barbara Brown Taylor writes: Every human interaction offers you the chance to make things better or to make things worse.
Make things better.
I liked that, and I still like that.
How do we make things better hauling garbage?
Southwest Florida’s interconnected land, marine, and coastal environments reflect our home’s unique geography and rich biodiversity. Our family is committed to using our collective strength – including hauling garbage – to conserve the lands and waters on which our livelihood depends. One of the ways we do this is through a financial commitment to the people and organizations within our community who are actively, passionately, and consistently using their roles to drive change in the area of environmental stewardship. Organizations like The Nature Conservancy in Florida, which is protecting more than 1.2 million acres of vulnerable lands and waters in Florida.
NextGen Disposal is a business, but also an opportunity for us to take care of each other, to serve each other, and to live within a broader vision for business and for life.
That’s how we use trash to Make Things Better®.
Need a dumpster delivered to your home or construction site in Naples or Bonita Springs? Our family would welcome the opportunity to serve you. Complete our online form or call us at 239-992-6219.
