Clean up of Maltese seas hauls over 140kg of plastic

The ‘Clean the Seas’ project, which was launched by Mr Green in collaboration with the University of Malta in July, came to an end this month. The result was a “massive haul of 140kg of plastic collected from the Maltese shores”.

Alongside employees from the online gaming operator Mr Green, students from University of Malta, as well as MSc students from the University of York, UK – studying marine environmental management under Prof Alan Deidun – “cleaned the shores and waters around Malta”.

Mr Green said that collection areas were divided into four search routes, all of which included “coves, caves, and bays for more efficient collection”.

The team of University students and Mr. Green employees before going out to sea to begin the clean the seas project

The company reported that 141.2kg of plastic litter was collected at sea, with the “most common pollutants being bottles and bags, followed closely by plastic cups and plates”. A substantial amount of micro-plastics, small plastic pieces, less than five millimeters long, “which can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life”, were also collected.

Mr Green went on to say that most plastic litter was collected from the Valletta port and harbours, “roping in 36.3% of the total”, followed by the northwest coast route, which included Gnejna Bay, Golden Bay, Ghadira Bay, Anchor Bay and Fomm ir-Rih, accounting for 32.91%, they said.

“Living in Malta, we share the greatest benefit of enjoying the crystal clear seas around us. But will it maintain its beauty and attraction for long, if we do not see the damage of our own footprint and act responsibly to keep it clean and healthy for generations to come?” asked CEO of Mr Green, Jesper Kärrbrink.

Kärrbrink went on to say that while the ‘Clean the Seas’ project is certainly a step in the right direction, the results showed that steps must be taken to stop plastic entering the sea in the first place, “including improving enforcement of recycling and reducing consumption of plastic items like bottles and single use carrier bags."