The Maldives Ocean Plastics Alliance (MOPA), in collaboration with the Sri Lankan High Commission, has conducted a special beach clean-up in Hulhumalé to mark International Coastal Cleanup Day.
The initiative covered the Dhiraagu Beach and Channel Beach areas of Hulhumalé, where participants collected plastic and other waste as part of the clean-up.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, MOPA President Ahmed Maumoon highlighted the environmental damage caused by plastic and warned of the dangers of irresponsible waste disposal. He urged the public to dispose of waste responsibly and stressed the importance of recycling as a way to reduce waste.
Expanding on the role of recycling, Maumoon said different sectors are increasingly converting recycled plastic into raw material. He said MOPA is working towards recycling 100 per cent of plastic and converting it into raw material.
The clean-up collected 265 kilogrammes of plastic and 320 kilogrammes of general waste, bringing the total amount of waste removed to 585 kilogrammes.
The initiative reflects the purpose of International Coastal Cleanup Day, which highlights the importance of protecting beaches, the organisms that inhabit them and their surrounding environments. The observance also aims to raise awareness about the risk of beach erosion and the importance of protecting such fragile environments.