The University of Guam’s Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps (G3CC) brought environmental responsibility to the forefront of the 80th Guam Liberation Day Parade.  This year’s festivities weren’t just a celebration of freedom, but also a promotion of a sustainable future through a territory-wide recycling effort.

G3CC members stationed themselves along the parade route, enthusiastically collecting recyclables from the crowds.  This initiative tackled a major challenge for Guam: managing waste generated during large events.  To address this, the Corps focused on collecting aluminum cans, a readily recyclable material.

But the G3CC’s efforts went beyond collection.  To bolster recycling and provide an extra perk for participants, the Corps distributed free can cages to all registered parade participants.  These cages not only made can collection easier but also served as a reminder of the importance of recycling.

Phillip Cruz, coordinator for the Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps, highlighted the initiative’s goals. “Our goal this Liberation Day was to significantly increase recycling and divert cans from landfills,” Cruz said.  The collected cans were donated to schools in partnership with IRecycle, a program that allows schools to raise funds by cashing in on recycled aluminum.

The G3CC collected an estimated total of over 7,500 cans throughout the 80th Guam Liberation Day celebration, successfully diverting them from the landfill.

The project’s impact extended beyond immediate environmental benefits, according to Dr. Austin Shelton, director of UOG’s Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant. “This initiative combined environmental responsibility with community outreach and education,” Shelton said.  “By incorporating recycling into the festivities, we weren’t only cleaning up after the parade, but also promoting a culture of sustainability on our island.”

The G3CC’s Liberation Day recycling effort served as a shining example of how Guam could celebrate its heritage while safeguarding its beautiful environment for future generations.