Tens of kilos of plastic, glass, paper, metal and other waste, including car batteries, were removed by HSBC staff from the ditch at the tail of Ġnejna valley and beach.

Some 30 members of staff from HSBC's IT Department and their families joined forces with BICREF, the Biological Conservation Research Foundation, to clean up Ġnejna valley and bay, sites particularly known among environmentalists for their ecological importance.

The clean-up initiative was spearheaded by staff that form part of HSBC's Global Climate Partnership programme which mobilises the bank's workforce to disseminate environmental education against the threats of climate change and unsustainable development to people and nature.

Along with Għajn Tuffieħa and Golden Bay, Ġnejna is unique for its clay slopes which are the natural habitat of particular flora and fauna. Studies carried out by BICREF have consistently shown that the habitat and species found exclusively in this site are endangered.

"Human interference and waste are shown to cause what is known as eutrophication, the growth of algae which are deadly to organisms as they shield sunlight and use up considerable amount of oxygen to the detriment of the rest of the marine environment," said BICREF's David Spiteri.

"This is particularly the cause of organic waste, like sewage, food leftovers, paper and other material, which causes food bacteria for algae to feed on."

The activity was carried out also in collaboration with the Mġarr Council.