This Gaming Company Is Doing The Best Thing To Save Turtles In Malta
The Maltese people are no strangers to pollution and its effect on our surrounding seas. This summer has seen an endless amount of turtles that needed saving from plastic. And if we don’t make the effort, who will?
But sometimes you need more than just individual help; sometimes a whole company needs to be on board.
Enter Mr. Green, an online gaming company that’s no stranger to the Maltese cleanup scene.
Founded in 2007 and operating in several markets internationally, the company launched a Clean the Sea project last summer as part of its “Green Way” initiative.
The initiative’s driving force starts all the way at the top; CEO Jesper Kärrbrink has often spoken about his motivation behind the project. “Living in Malta we share the greatest benefit of enjoying the beautiful sea 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?”
And so, with the help of local marine biologist Professor Alan Deidun, a massive waste-collection was carried out between Monday and Friday in July and August. Collection areas were divided into four search routes; Valletta Port, Portomaso to Mellieħa, Portomaso to Marsaxlokk and the Northwest coast (Ġnejna, Golden Bay, Għadira, Anchor Bay and Fomm ir-Riħ).
Overall the team managed to collect an astonishing 141.2 kg of plastic litter at sea. The most common pollutants being bottles and bags, followed closely by plastic cups and plates; a stretch of microplastics was additionally reported.
This total weight didn’t even include large items such as tables and deckchairs, which were also collected as part of the initiative.
This is perhaps a worrying wake-up call for Malta and the population in general. In its report, Mr Green explains that the beaching of debris along the Maltese coastline has only been assessed with field monitoring studies implemented on a small scale. Together with the University of Malta, the company aims to show hotspots for deposition of debris as well as obtain a better understanding of the coastal dynamics of beaching.
But what can you do to help?
Picking up other people’s litter shouldn’t be considered taboo, and if we all work together to keep our gorgeous islands clean the difference would be almost instantly noticeable. So Why not take Mr. Green’s example, and next time you see rubbish on the floor, recycle it with pride.