Almost four tonnes of waste were collected from Malta’s seabed in the annual clean-up held by the Malta Airport Foundation.

The foundation collected a total of 3.6 tonnes of waste from Senglea and Tigné point in Sliema during two seabed clean-ups organised in collaboration with Atlam and Calypso subaqua clubs.

Some of the items that were elevated from the seabed during this year’s clean-ups included glass bottles, several car tyres, a number of ceramic toilets, a marine engine and broken boat parts.

While a number of divers and land helpers volunteered to ensure the success of these initiatives, a crane was brought in to elevate the heavier waste items, such as steel construction material, at the Tigné clean-up.

This is not the first time that the Malta Airport Foundation has organised such clean-ups, and it’s been collaborating with the two local subaqua clubs since 2020.

Having collected 1.6 tonnes of waste from Birżebbuġa and Wied iż-Żurrieq in the first year and 1.8 tonnes from Marsaxlokk and Marsalforn in 2021, the foundation has been successful in clearing the islands’ seabed of a total of seven tonnes of marine waste since the start of this underwater initiative.

“Given that we operate in the tourism sector, we consider it our duty to do our bit to safeguard the Maltese Islands’ underwater world, which is a very attractive part of Malta’s tourism offering,” Malta Airport Foundation Chairman Josef Formosa Gauci said. 

“Our collaborations with Atlam and Calypso over the past years have allowed us to identify underwater spots that were in dire need of a clean-up due to the accumulation of improperly disposed of waste.”

Back in 2020, the Malta Airport Foundation partnered with eNGO Żibel on the installation of two sea bins in the localities of Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala, where they are contributing to the maintenance of cleaner seas.

Well done to all involved!