Large volumes of plastic fragments and litter washed ashore at Għajn Tuffieħa has been cleared by hand.

The clean up took place Saturday morning, just a few hours after it was reported on social media, the Environment Ministry said in a statement. The litter is believed to have been accumulated because of the rough seas. 

The beach is considered an environmentally sensitive area and is also a Natura 2000 site, requiring for the clean up to be carried out by hand. The Environment and Resources Authority issued an emergency permit to cover these works.

“We need to face reality and adopt a more circular economy approach while changing our mentality and norms,” Environment Minister José Herrera said.

The ministry said it had immediately coordinated efforts with the Environment and Resources Authority, Ambjent Malta and NGO No to Plastics to remove the plastic debris that littered the beach. 

The public is being urged to report such findings to the appropriate authorities for action.

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