St. Maarten groups earn 2nd place at Netherlands National Volunteer Awards

Two St. Maarten-based organizations, Perpetual Plastics by EPIC Team and Freegan Food Foundation, have earned second place at the National Volunteer Awards hosted by the Association for Volunteerism in the Netherlands. The Perpetual Plastics team claimed their second-place finish in the 'Nature and Environment' category, which encompasses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 13, 14, and 15 — covering climate action, life below water, and life on land. The recognition places St. Maarten's volunteer community on a national Dutch stage, highlighting the island's grassroots environmental and social efforts. Perpetual Plastics focuses on addressing plastic waste and sustainability, while Freegan Food Foundation works to reduce food waste and support communities in need. The award underscores the growing impact of Caribbean volunteer organizations within the broader Kingdom of the Netherlands. Both groups expressed pride in the achievement, which brings international visibility to their ongoing work on the island.