Crucians are Back Recycling Plastics – Santa Popped in For Photos & Gift Giving

Crucians came back in full force in May of this year and began recycling plastics again every Saturday morning, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Santa made his appearance Saturday loaded with gifts for children and families as they took photos.

Diane Brooks and her late husband Gary organized the volunteer plastic-recycling project as a three-month trial in 2018. Mafi Hamed of The Market, formerly Plaza West, gave the go-ahead at the end of the trial, and its success has drawn residents island-wide in the pursuit of a plastics-free landfill.

The Brooks couple flew to Miami at the inception of the project to “learn the ropes” of recycling. Hamed has been recycling cardboard and plastic for six years and is experienced in the process. The plastic is baled on St. Croix, and the continuation of the recycling process happens in Miami, Brooks said.

The drawbacks of Gary’s illness and ultimate passing and the Covid pandemic brought the project to a temporary halt. Diane and Hamed were determined to restart the project. With volunteers at Brooks’ side, she is at it again early Saturday mornings until 12:30 p.m.