Jane Azzopardi, Naxxar
How about a clean-up Malta campaign?
This summer I saw a British family - parents and two children - walking along the Salina coast picking up plastic bottles and disposing of them in the appropriate bins. This was an example I could not ignore. I have started picking up at least one plastic bottle from the road every day in my home town and disposing of it appropriately. At the same time, I have been thinking that there are many people who would not mind joining me if there were organised clean-up days in different towns.
Lately I read that a British magazine sponsored one such clean-up drive in Britain's streets, which are also getting dirtier according to a survey held among its readers. It was argued that "litter breeds litter and people are less likely to drop rubbish in clean areas" (www.thebigtidyup.org).
Are there any Maltese business enterprise interested in sponsoring something practical for a Clean Malta campaign? Organised clean-ups would also create awareness and show that we really care!
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J.Mc Neli
Sep 24th 2008, 16:59
How about cleaning up Ta' Xbiex villa's area's, especially the Coast Road, the Terrace of Ta' Xbiex (Ir-Rampa), and near the Gzira gardens. These areas are always filled with people's left over [rubbish] especially during summer time from 7.30 onwards who come in the area for some breeze. While one can see a rubbish sweeper near the housing area, yet this person is never found to be in this area. Some years ago this area was cleaned with a mechanical sweeper, but now this is neglected by the Council of this area. It's shameful to find all sort of rubbish such as bones, empty bottles, pizza boxes, fruits, paper, cans, and also left over from food.
Tourist to come to the four most popular restaurants and even the tourist double decker passes and take photos of this area.The Police should take action, but they just pass by, buy ice-creams, take maybe some minerals, but no action against these abuses. Where are the civil wardens? If they had been placed in this area, they would have filled their note book with contraventions of the dumping area. Who is responsible and who should they reply to for such negligence?
Joseph Galea
Sep 24th 2008, 11:13
@ Joseph W. Galea: What a cynical comment! If I pick up litter would I leave my dogs droppings for you to step in? Be serious. In fact, on several occasions I pick up the droppings of other dogs if they happen to be in the vicinity of my dog's!
Other correspondents say they would not pick up litter because it should not be there in the first place. What logic are they following? In an ideal world there would be no litter - and by all means let's push for more education so the situation improves. However, if there is litter around it will simply generate more! So picking up litter will always help - if nothing else it might shame people like these correspondents who do not seem to care!
V Azzopardi
Sep 23rd 2008, 16:30
Totally agree with the idea. Its a shame that so many people still dispose of their rubbish just anywhere. Lets face it with all the bring in sites and the skips we have really no excuse. Heavy fines is the only way us Maltese learn.
Joseph W. Galea
Sep 23rd 2008, 08:00
@Joseph Galea
I hope that while you are walking your dog on the prmenade you do not leave it's excrement that I have to tip toe over when I go for a walk there.
@ Charles Muscat
But in Malta we had that installed.
There were supposed to be wardens looking out for those things and cite the culprits.
But as in everything else, we very soon give up the chase.
Finally, what about organizing clean up days in each town, for example having volunteers from the boy scouts etc and publicize the act with pictures of the people taking part, giving them prominence on the front pages of newspapers.
This is done in other countries especially at beach towns.
Robert Gafa
Sep 23rd 2008, 03:16
I visited my family in Malta this past July and had a most wonderful time in my parent's native country (it was my 6th visit). Such a beautiful country with scenery that any one would be envious of, but the litter was the eyesore that placed a blemish on the beauty of the island. My family and I were picking up trash from the sea whenever we swam. A concerted effort by many concerned citizens would probably be enough to clear up most of the litter. Awareness is the first step and it seems that Ms. Azzopardi has touched a nerve that many Maltese share.
Joseph Aquilina
Sep 23rd 2008, 00:40
In answering Jane Azzopardi's letter (Sept. 22), I don't think that there's any need for any Maltese business enterprise to sponsor something practical for a Clean Malta campaign?
All Malta needs iis for parents to educate their kids and also educating themselves. That is one thing that made me puke to see adults and children throwing cans and paper and other garbage in the blue Mediterranean Sea. It was disgusting to see.
Also, in Birzerbuga (on my last two visits) people playing bingo outside some restaurants and throw averything on the ground, bingo cards included. It looked like a pig stye every day.
When I complained to one of the restaurants owner, The answer I got was " If they don't do that, some people will be out of a job" Wow, what an anser.
Dennis Zammit
Sep 22nd 2008, 23:11
Good idea. It is about time that a real clean up is done but also measures are take to ensure that this is kept clean.
How about the Govt. used the 100's of illegal immigrants as part-timers to clean up Malta? This would surely keep them busy and not staling around in the streets like escort women. This would also ensure that they have a suitable, legal, declared income together with the necessary legal protection and official income.
Why not?
Les Drew
Sep 22nd 2008, 22:24
I have recently returned from another wonderful holiday in your country. I still fail to understand why there should be so much litter when you have a rubbish collection every day from your houses. Here in the UK it is once a week where I live but in other parts of the country it is now 1 every 2 weeks. Please dont get me wrong we will continue to come to Malta because of the people and the country but i know people here who i have recomended to visit and they say they will never go back because of the amount of litter.
R.Curmi
Sep 22nd 2008, 18:26
Back in 1973 my father took me on a month holiday around Europe, i was still 13years of age, one thing that really impressed me was how clean Switzerland and Austria where. A few months after that tour I had a day outing with a society for youths, no need to mention that everyone left his rubbish there, when I had pointed out that we should take it with us I was, ridiculed, called names, even abused physically by two big boys. I had told my father that we should go and clean up the mess we left the next weekend, which we had did. Since, I have been picking and disposing of other peoples rubbish for years on end. I even confront anyone I see throwing things out, be they young, old or tough. Although sometimes I get frustrated I still stand up for that principle, and it toughens my heart to see people doing the same, maybe one day in my life time I will see my little country as clean as Switzerland. These last years I have seen improvment so not all is lost.
E. Azzopardi
Sep 22nd 2008, 18:01
Mr Aldo Gatt;
So you are in Malta for a few months but we are here all the year! If we do this, those who litter will do it more. If we take this suggestion then we have to organise a Clean Malta Campaign every day and not just once. So yes, this is a defeatist attitude. The rubbish should not be there in the first place. By suggesting that we all pick up the litter, we are saying that we do not believe in ourselves and that we have given up for the country to be kept clean. (Heq, m'hemmx taghmel!!!) How many times a day you here this phrase? That is the easiet way to abdicate from your responsibility. Sorry, that is not my attitude. I again reiterate, we all know what has to be done for the country to be kept clean. Other countries do it so why can't we? We hear it everyday that the Maltese people are so capable!!!!!!!
Aldo Gatt
Sep 22nd 2008, 14:59
As I'm in Malta for a few months, I shall take your example and start to pick up a couple of pieces of rubbish every day. The cleanup days don't have to necessarily be on a National level. I totally agree - it is NOT defeatist to organise or participate in such an event. To do nothing about it is. Responsibility starts with the individual.
Charles Muscat
Sep 22nd 2008, 14:56
Rubbish for thought: If caught littering in public where I live, you will be fined $375 on the spot.
Would you risk it? I think not.
Paul Fenech
Sep 22nd 2008, 14:11
I think that people need to be educated. When I visited China 3 years ago, it was a very dirty place, with people spitting all the time etc etc. For Beijing 2008 a huge promotion was done for the people to educate them and their bad habits lessened drastically (was seeing some sort of tv show about this that's how I know).
Its useless cleaning other people's garbage if nobody feel's wrong about it. Most people are not proud of their country unfortunately here in Malta, and that's why they litter
E. Azzopardi
Sep 22nd 2008, 13:48
Answer me this question please? Why should there be all the rubbish around for the citizens to pick up? Whilst we are at it,. we should tell all the tourists to do the same!!
No I do not agree. The rubbish should not be there in the first place. This is a defeatist attitude. And we all know what should be done for Malta to be kept clean. We have siad it a million times.
Joseph Galea
Sep 22nd 2008, 12:55
I too pick up litter whenever I take out my dog on the Sliema promenade, and yes it is frustrating to feel that it's a hopeless task - but every little bit helps! Litter is like peanuts - you can't have only one. A piece of litter on the ground will invariably attract more. So keep on picking guys! Example helps!
John L Gatt
Sep 22nd 2008, 11:17
Good on you Jane Azzopardi on your civic pride....
I have being living in Malta for 7 years and each morning when I walk down to St.Thomas Bay I make it a point of picking up 3 pieces of rubbish....I am now thinking of giving this habit up as it seems that it is hopeless....sad but true.
l Galea
Sep 22nd 2008, 10:39
Shall we start with the Government?
Liam Kelly
Sep 22nd 2008, 10:16
Good letter Jane but im afriad your last point calling for enterprises to sponsor such a venture is just not going to happen.
I'm afraid that very soon you will realise that the business community in general has absolutly no interest in such ventures, no matter how worthy they are, because there is not a clear and tangiable benefit for themselves.
Corporate responsibility? Yea right!
Charles Micallef
Sep 22nd 2008, 09:27
Totally agree!