Perpetual Plastics, Freegan Food Foundation earn second-place honors

GREAT BAY--Two St. Maarten organizations, Perpetual Plastics by EPIC and the Freegan Food Foundation, have earned second-place honors at the National Volunteer Awards in the Netherlands, marking a significant showing for the island in the first year that Dutch Caribbean organizations were included in the national competition.

The awards are organized by the Association for Volunteerism in the Netherlands and recognize organizations whose volunteer work delivers measurable social impact. From a total of 322 entries, 66 organizations were nominated for the national awards.

Perpetual Plastics by EPIC placed second in the Nature and Environment category, which covers Sustainable Development Goals 13, 14 and 15. The Freegan Food Foundation earned second place in the Livelihood Security category, linked to Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 10.

Each second-place organization received a €3,000 prize. Five second-place awards were presented across different categories, while the remaining 60 nominees each received a €1,000 third-place prize.

The fact that two of the five second-place awards went to organizations from St. Maarten highlights the growing recognition being given to volunteer-led work on the island and across the Dutch Caribbean.

This year marked the first time organizations from the Dutch Caribbean islands were included in the nominations. Their participation followed efforts by the Foresee Foundation to advocate for greater recognition and opportunities for non-governmental organizations operating locally and throughout the Dutch Caribbean.

Perpetual Plastics recognized for environmental work

Perpetual Plastics by EPIC was recognized for its work collecting and processing plastic waste, while involving more than 1,000 volunteers and using the project to promote environmental education and social inclusion.

The jury stated:

“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.”

The recognition places attention not only on the organization’s environmental work, but also on its use of volunteerism to educate young people, involve the wider community and create opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Freegan Food Foundation honored for direct assistance

The Freegan Food Foundation was recognized for its work reducing food waste while providing practical assistance to families and helping people move toward greater self-sufficiency.

The jury stated:

“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 Foundation combines food rescue with a food bank, clothing bank and second-hand shop, while focusing on helping families gradually become more independent.

Recognition during Year of the Volunteer

The awards take on additional significance in 2026, which has been designated the Year of the Volunteer by the United Nations. The National Volunteer Awards place particular emphasis on the social value created by volunteer work and the ways volunteer-led organizations contribute to their communities.

For both St. Maarten organizations, the awards also recognize the people who have supported their work over the years.

Perpetual Plastics by EPIC and the Freegan Food Foundation congratulated and thanked their volunteers for the time, commitment and passion they have contributed to their respective projects.

Both organizations stressed that volunteerism has been the backbone of their work and that their accomplishments would not have been possible without the individuals who consistently give their time to support their communities.

The double recognition in the Netherlands also provides a wider platform for the work being carried out by St. Maarten’s nonprofit sector and demonstrates the role local volunteer organizations can play in addressing environmental, social and economic challenges.

More info on awards can be found here: https://www.vrijwilligerswerk.nl/nationalevrijwilligersprijzennl/default.aspx

Prize giving ceremony can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/live/3fn_3OtPx8E

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