The popular ‘Saving Our Blue’ marine protection campaign is returning to its fourth edition, as it continues to work towards raising awareness against marine pollution and supporting the importance of sustainable decisions, to further reduce the use of single-use plastic.

In a statement announcing the news, the Environment Ministry said that landfill waste is a threat to ecosystems essential to the lives and livelihoods of the people.

“The success of this campaign therefore depends on the willingness of the public to consider and opt for alternative sustainable products as part of their daily routines,” the Ministry said.

The campaign is being relaunched in the year that Malta introduced a ban on the distribution and sale of these single-use plastic goods.

The campaign targets the public through various initiatives, also including students between the age of six and ten in collaboration with the Summer School centres in Malta and Gozo.

“An educational campaign will be relating to the harms which waste can pose to our marine life. The mascot of this campaign is Maggie, the sea turtle which will raise awareness through a series of episodes about her adventures,” the Ministry said.

As part of this campaign, various beach clean-ups will be organised together with other dive clean-ups around the beaches in Malta and Gozo with the participation of various government entities, voluntary organisations and private companies.

Environment Minister Miriam Dalli urged the public to do its part by opting for alternative products whilst participating also during the clean-ups which will be organised throughout the summer edition.

“The Saving Our Blue Campaign aims raise awareness on the marine protection and its ecosystem. The public is encouraged to make sustainable choices and dispose waste accordingly”, said Minister Dalli.

Statistics show that the most common waste items collected during clean-ups on local beaches are cigarette butts, plastic bottles, spoons, straws, bottle caps and cups.

Those interested in participating in this campaign are invited to contact Saving our Blue on the social media platforms for more information and other initiatives which are taking place during this fourth summer edition.

Representatives from Ambjent Malta, Parks Malta, ERA and from NGOs Żibel and Nature Trust were present for the launch.