40 cigarette bin disposal units have been installed on sandy beaches around Malta and Gozo.
These bins are being installed as part of the Saving Our Blue Campaign which aims of raising protection about environmental protection. Through these installations, the public is being further encouraged to refrain from illegally disposing of cigarette butts on beaches. A survey conducted by the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise in 2021 found that 98.1% of individuals in Malta who smoke are aware of the fact that dumping in the environment is illegal, while 11% of smokers admit to still throwing cigarette butts on the floor.
During several clean-ups organised as part of the Saving Our Blue Campaign over the years, it became clear that cigarette butts are among the most garbage collected from the beaches. Cigarette butts fall into the single-use plastic category because they are made of plastic. They take 10 years to disintegrate.
“From various clean-ups that are being carried out in these months we are finding various plastic objects that damage the marine environment. With more such initiatives we want to make a positive impact on the environment so that future generations will be able to enjoy a beautiful environment of our country”, said Minister Miriam Dalli. She encouraged the public to be more responsible.
In Malta, 25 containers were installed in: Armier, Għadira, Golden Bay, Għajn Tuffieħa, Ġnejna, Little Armier, Paradise Bay, Pretty Bay, San Ġorġ Bay, and at White Tower Bay. 15 containers have been installed in Gozo and Comino: Blue Lagoon and St. Mary’s Bay, Daħlet Qorrot, Ħondoq ir-Rummein, Marsalforn, Mġarr ix-Xini, Ramla l-Ħamra, San Blas, Xlendi and Xwejni.
Photos: DOI
