Poor waste management, and in some instances, the absence of any waste management, results in the destruction of coastal, marine, and freshwater ecosystems. The wholesale burning of garbage leads to soil erosion which causes nutrient rich soil to flow freely into the river. This ultimately reaches the ocean causing permanent damage to the coral reef. There is an ever increasing accumulation of recyclable materials such as plastic and glass bottles and containers that end up floating in the ocean, resting on the ocean floor, and laying atop coral.

Several species, including the Green and Hawksbill turtles, Elkhorn and Staghorn coral, and the Black Grouper, have become near to critically endangered. . Due to habitat depletion on Jamaican?s coastline and ocean, the green and hawksbill turtles have declined in the area by 48-67% and 84-87% respectively, in the last three generations. Waste accumulation in the ocean has existed and has steadily increased since the mid seventies with the boom of growth and development from the emerging tourist community. This problem has continued to escalate. With the depletion of fish habitat, the livelihood of fisherman has seen a serious downturn. Damage to the coral reef system has resulted in the continuing loss of beach area due to sand erosion, as reefs serve to protect and create beaches over time.

The continued destruction of the coastal, marine, and freshwater ecosystems is adversely responsible for issues that affect not only the health of the beaches, ocean, and rivers, but also the people who live, work, and visit Negril. The coral reef provides an entire ecosystem that involves hundreds of fish and plant species that are vital for the continuation of fishing.

The main goals of this project are:
to prevent the destruction, and promote the restoration, of Negril?s coral reef creating sustainable education programs and waste management practices throughout the implementation of a consistent system of recycling. This will in turn protect the coastal, marine, and freshwater ecosystems, boost tourism, and thus contribute positively to the economy.

To increase the biodiversity in Negril's coral reef by increasing community awareness through environmental education and tours and developing a recycling programme that will divert thousand of pounds of materials from the ocean floor.