680kgs of waste were collected from Mistra Bay during a clean-up organised by Labour MEP Miriam Dalli and environment NGO Żibel.

eNGO Żibel is an organisation committed to waste and to protect the natural environment. It has organised several clean-ups around Malta and Gozo.

The Mistra Bay clean-up was split into three groups: a group to clean the beach and another two groups, composed of snorkelers and divers, to clean the seabed.

Waste collected was separated so that 133kg of general waste, 7kg of plastic, 31kg of glass, 3 kg of metal and 506kg of bulky waste were collected.

Dr Dalli said these numbers showed the need for people to dispose of their bulky waste properly instead of throwing it away around beaches and the countryside, especially when free services are available for the proper disposal of bulky waste.

“We need to realise that when bulky waste is not properly disposed of, it is not only an eyesore but it also causes serious harm to the surrounding environment, including marine species. At the end, the waste we throw away in the sea ends up in our plate.”   

Andrew Schembri, one of the founders of the eNGO Zibel, said that the waste issue in Malta is not one to be taken lightly, and needs to be tackled at all levels. “This means that it's time for everyone to become more waste conscious, from children to our politicians and government. The clock is ticking, it's time for a waste revolution,” Schembri said.