SINT MAARTEN — The Perpetual Plastics by EPIC Team and Freegan Food Foundation are proud 2nd place winners of the National Volunteer Awards hosted by the Association for Volunteerism in the Netherlands. The Perpetual Plastics Team won second place in the category ‘Nature and Environment’, covering SDGs 13, 14, and 15. While the Freegan Food Foundation earned second place for the category ‘Livelihood Security’, under SDGs 1 & 10. There were 5 second place categories to be won, with 66 nominees vying for the prizes, from a total of 322 entries. The second-place prize came with a €3.000 prize.
The other 60 nominees received a €1.000 third place prize. Two organisations winning 2nd place hailing from Sint Maarten is a testament to the impact local NGOs make on the island, which is getting more recognition throughout the Kingdom. Especially considering it being the first time the Dutch Caribbean islands were included in the nominations. The Dutch Caribbean islands being included was spearheaded by the Foresee Foundation, vouching for more recognition and opportunities for NGOs, locally and regionally.
As per the jury regarding Perpetual Plastics: ‘The plastic washing up on St. Maarten often originates thousands of kilometers away—including from the Netherlands. Perpetual Plastics by EPIC, supported by over 1,000 volunteers, collects and processes this waste. Schoolchildren take home what they have learned, and people with disabilities find a place where they can make a contribution. There is hardly a better example of global responsibility: they clean up the mess we create. According to the jury, the organization sends a powerful message that extends far beyond its own coastline.’
As per the jury regarding Freegan Food: ‘On Sint Maarten, the Freegan Food Foundation, also, saves hundreds of kilograms of food each week that would otherwise go to waste. The organization serves as a food bank, clothing bank, and second-hand shop all in one, but its primary focus is helping families move step-by-step toward self-sufficiency. The jury was moved by the direct nature of this assistance: no waiting lists, no complex rules—just consistent, dedicated effort week after week. Fighting poverty, without the paperwork.’
The year 2026 has also been declared ‘Year of the Volunteer’ by the United Nations. This prize is in recognition thereof, dedicating the prizes to organisations whereby the social impacts of volunteer work and how their work benefits society is highlighted and recognized.
Both organizations would hereby like to congratulate and thank all their volunteers who have dedicated their time and passion to the organizations and its projects over all these years. As volunteerism has always been the backbone of both organizations, and without them they would not likely have achieved half of what they have today.
