This year, the Islands Cleanup campaign was once again launched by the Ministry for the Environment, Energy, and Public Cleansing in collaboration with Saving our Blue, Project Green, and the Cleansing and Maintenance Division.
The launch took place with the participation of students from St Michael’s Foundation thanks to an initiative by student Thomas Gatt. A few months ago, Thomas met the Minister for the Environment with the idea of setting up an environmental organisation run by children for children.
The Islands Cleanup initiative kicked off earlier than usual with a cleanup at Mistra Bay, where around 143kg of waste was collected by children and employees from a private company who joined together for this purpose.
They were accompanied by the Minister for the Environment, Miriam Dalli and the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleansing, Glenn Bedingfield.
“This is the fourth year of this campaign, and with each passing year, more people, private companies, and even students are showing their desire to participate in the Islands Cleanup. I am pleased to see children and students getting more involved. I encourage the public to take part in this campaign. More importantly, I appeal for everyone to take care of the environment around us, ensure that waste is disposed of properly, and continue to raise awareness against illegal dumping,” said Minister Dalli.
Parliamentary Secretary Glenn Bedingfield explained the importance of a clean country for everyone. “We are consolidating our efforts for better public cleanliness. From the Xummiemu campaign and educational initiatives to the daily commitment of our workers, the Islands Clean Up remains an annual event and a solid campaign to keep promoting the need for and importance of public cleanliness and a more sustainable environment, as set out in Malta Vision 2050,” Parliamentary Secretary Bedingfield concluded.
This campaign is open to private companies, schools, non-governmental entities, and other organisations who wish to contribute to a better environment while also fulfilling part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Anyone who registers will be given all the necessary equipment to carry out the required work, making the process efficient and safe, and also contributing to a larger national campaign.
Employees from the Ministry and the company Gambling.com Group also took part in the Mistra cleanup. After each cleanup, the collected waste is weighed and separated according to waste-separation regulations, and the recyclable material is sent for processing. Participants receive a certificate of participation.
For more information on how to register for an Islands Cleanup activity this summer, visit: http://project.green/clean-up-campaign/.
Photos: MEEC
