LDI Second National Clean-Up Launch

Invitation to Press Conference for Second National Clean-Up – Let’s Do It! Malta The social movement Let’s Do It Malta will be launching the second national clean-up on Wednesday 15th April at 11:00 a.m. at the Corinthia Hotel saint Georges.

Over 30 organizations have already confirmed their participation. This year’s national clean-up to be held on Saturday 9th May 2015 to be held across the Maltese Islands is expected to attract and estimated 3000 volunteers, more than doubling last year’s 1200 participants. 2014 saw the collection of 28 thousand kilos (28 tonnes) of waste. With a target of 50 clean-up locations, this number is set to probably double.

The event launch will be addressed by 1. Mr. Ramon Deguara, Cleansing Director - Introduction to the waste problem by 2. Mr. Julian Cefai, National Co-ordinator - Aims of the campaign and actions in Malta.

3. Questions & answers, interviews.

For further information contact jcefai@letsdoitworld.org visit www.letsdoitmalta.org or call on 99920474.

The campaign so far includes: Amino Chemical, Bible Baptist Church, Chinese Embassy, Corinthia Hotel St. George, Cleansing Directorate, EC Language School, EcoGozo, EF Language School, ESN, Farsons Malta Limited, Free Divers, Friends of Villa Frere, Gaia Foundation, General Soft Drinks, Ghaqda Bajja San Tumas and Friends of Marsascala, Grassy Hopper, HSBC, JCI, KSU, Le Meridien, Malta Climbing Club, Malta Kayak Club, Malta Rock Climbin Club, Mantra Malta, Mr. Green , Nature Trust Malta, Netenters, OFD, PDSA, Ramla Bay Resort, SAC Scout Group, SPCA, St. John's Rescue Corps, Valletta Local Council, Verdala International School, Vodafone, Waterfront Hotel Sliema, Why Not, Youth for the Environment Background information: The Mediterranean Sea is a fragile ecosystem that is under immense pressure from the human population – notably the greatest sources of marine litter are the dumpsites near beaches, and tourism and fishing industry activities. Experts have estimated that there are about 250 billion microscopic bits of plastic floating in the Mediterranean Sea, posing a threat to marine biodiversity, and also ending up in the human food chain. In certain places the volume of micro plastic in the water exceeds that of plankton. Let’s Do It! Malta organised its first national clean-up last year in conjunction with Let’s Do It! Mediterranean’s effort between the 10th and 11th of May. The effort in Malta brought together 1, 263 volunteers across 21 sites around Malta and Gozo, collecting 28.7 (26, 000kg) tons of waste. The Let’s Do It! movement started in Estonia in 2008, when 50, 000 people came together to clean up the whole country. Under normal circumstances it would have taken the government three years and 22, 500, 000 Euros to clean up the same amount of illegal garbage, but it was done for 500, 000 euros and in only five hours. The network Let’s Do It World now unites more than 100 countries and has inspired nine million participants to take part in clean ups all around the world.