Juliet Carvalhal has always felt a deep connection to the ocean. Growing up on the shores of Aruba, she found joy in swimming, snorkeling, and simply sitting beside the sea. But in December 2013, Juliet witnessed something that would change her life—and the island—forever.
While watching a local news segment about a clean-up in Parkietenbos, she was devastated by the sight of mangroves tangled in layers of decaying plastic bags. This once-pristine coastal area was now a plastic graveyard, suffocating marine ecosystems.
Rather than looking away, Juliet took action.
From Outrage to Action
Juliet partnered with Anthony Hagedoorn, a local environmentalist featured in the broadcast, and together with Laurenz van Mook, they visited the site firsthand. The reality was worse than expected: plastic bags were embedded in the mangrove roots, choking the trees and polluting the sea.
As the team explained, “Cleaning up without stopping the source is like mopping up a flooded floor without fixing the broken pipe.”
The Fight to Ban Plastic Bags in Aruba
Between 2014 and 2016, Juliet worked with a dedicated three-person team to research the feasibility of banning single-use plastic bags in Aruba. Their approach was inclusive and collaborative, involving local communities, businesses, and policymakers.
Her tireless advocacy paid off:
✅ On June 28, 2016, Aruba’s Parliament unanimously approved the plastic bag ban.
✅ On January 1, 2017, the ban officially went into effect—the first of its kind in the Caribbean.
Launching Impact Blue: A Movement for Change
In 2018, Juliet launched Impact Blue, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the gap between environmental initiatives and the private sector. Its first major achievement was a scientific study evaluating the success of the plastic bag ban two years post-implementation.
Partners included:
-
Total Finance
-
Arubabank
-
ASD Aruba
-
Marriott International Aruba
-
Hilton Aruba
-
VNO Aruba
-
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
-
Aruba Trade and Industry Association (ATIA)
▶️ Watch the evaluation summary
Taking the Mission Global: eXXpedition Voyage
Juliet’s environmental advocacy didn’t stop at Aruba’s shores. She joined eXXpedition Round the World 2019–2021, an all-female sailing expedition that investigates plastic pollution globally.
On her leg from Antigua to Bonaire to Aruba, Juliet and her team collected microplastic samples from the ocean surface, the air, and surrounding waters to:
-
Identify predominant plastic types
-
Pinpoint pollution sources
-
Provide scientific data to shape policy and regulation
▶️ Watch a past eXXpedition voyage
Why This Matters: The Global Plastic Problem
Plastic was invented in 1907, and while it has revolutionized medicine and technology, it has come at a steep environmental cost:
-
79% of all plastic produced since the 1950s still exists
-
It will remain in our environment for 1,000+ years
-
Microplastics are found in every ocean, often ingested by fish, turtles, birds—even humans
Fish are now mistaking plastics for food because degrading plastic smells like krill. It’s a crisis affecting marine life and entire ecosystems.
Be Part of the Solution
Inspired by Juliet’s movement? Here’s how you can reduce plastic use:
♻️ Carry reusable bags
♻️ Say no to plastic straws and utensils
♻️ Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste
♻️ Choose refillable or compostable products
♻️ Support eco-conscious brands and policies
Juliet Carvalhal sparked change on an island scale—but the real transformation begins when all of us take part.
🌊 Follow @ImpactBlueFoundation for updates and join the global movement to protect our oceans!
Photo credits : https://www.visitaruba.com/blog/things-to-do/local-spotlight-juliet-carvahal-impact-blue-foundation/
