Popular Maltese clean-up organisation, Coast is Clear, is taking its clean-up mission up Mount Everest.

Together with seven Nepalese sherpas, Coast is Clear founder Mark Galea Pace is already well on his way to completing the highest clean-up in the world at base camp of the famous Mount, having started this undertaking on 8 February, and ending on 22 February.  

Meanwhile, he has launched a crowdfunding campaign on local platform Zaar to raise €10,000 to support future clean-ups in and around Malta, as well as plant and maintain trees on the island. Through the Zaar campaign, he also hopes to reach out to the community in Malta and beyond, to spread awareness of the importance of keeping the environment clean and healthy.

“An estimated eight million tons of plastic enters the oceans every year, with 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste estimated to be in the oceans. 70% of the debris left behind by humans sinks into the ocean’s ecosystem, 15% floats and 15% lands on beaches. No matter where trash is left behind, it affects us all in the long run,” shares Mark Galea Pace. “With more funding, I could do so much more environmental work; more cleaning of our seas and our sensitive parks, and plant as many trees as possible. During my Nepal expedition I will be doing an even bigger cleaning project because we are all responsible for our planet. Please donate and help me work for a better world!”

Coast is Clear organises clean-ups both on the island and in the seas around Malta and Gozo, while planting trees to make Malta greener. Using Galea Pace’s personal family boat and a specifically purchased cleaning truck, the organisation has already planted 200 Maltese indigenous trees and collected 60,000kg of garbage, which had been polluting Malta’s natural habitats. The founder’s long-term goal is to plant, care and water 1,000 more trees across local valleys and nature reserves, and even, with the necessary funding, run an afforestation project along the coastline.

“This is a great opportunity, not just to support a local philanthropist as he takes on this extraordinary challenge of the highest clean-up in the world, but also to join together as a community to make a real difference for our country’s environment – and the planet’s,” says Zaar Manager Giselle Borg Olivier. “The online Zaar campaign shares Mark’s live updates throughout his Everest experience, so you can follow his journey step-by-step and enjoy the priceless reward of being part of something that truly impacts Malta, her trees, her seas, her people and future generations.”

To find out more and donate to the COAST IS CLEAR Mount Everest clean up expedition campaign on Zaar, visit www.zaar.com.mt.