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Scores of environmental enthusiasts across the kingdom joined a beach clean-up day under clear blue skies at Hamala Beach Resort Sandbar to clear swathes of waste left behind by thoughtless litterbugs.
Last Friday’s initiative was led by Vanessa Williams, a resident of Hamala Beach Resort, who got in touch with well-known activists Cleanup Bahrain in order to remove the increasing volume of debris left behind on the location, 150m out to sea, which is popular for parties and gatherings.
Environment campaigner Kai Miethig took charge of organising the event and assembled a team of 40 volunteers, including British ambassador Simon Martin and his wife, Sophie, armed with biodegradable refuse bags and gloves.
The German architect said: “The sandbar was a big mess, one of the most polluted spaces I’ve seen in my 12 years in Bahrain.
“We collected 45 bags of waste, 35 of which were filled with plastic bottles and aluminium cans which we can recycle. Other than that, we found eight large carpets which were stuck together with mud and were very heavy, plus items such as children’s toys, flip-flops, fishing nets, umbrellas and glass bottles.
“It’s shameful that these have been left behind after parties and gatherings. It’s fine to host these things, but to leave behind the litter without clearing it is a terrible example for the young and other visitors.”
Volunteers reached the island and transported their gear by using the selection of kayaks and paddle boats, or by swimming the short distance.
Cleanup Bahrain was founded in 2016 by Ali Alqaseer and Ruqaya Hashim and has since grown to become one of the most vocal and energetic non-governmental organisations in the kingdom, with more than 2,500 people volunteering their services since.
It organises events almost every weekend and has received support from municipalities and major companies around the country, which often stage corporate gatherings with food trucks and entertainment.
Kai says that organisation is a vital component in the endless battle against environmental danger. He said: “I joined in 2017 when the ‘Wave of Change’ campaign started and I saw the movie A Plastic Ocean. I really recommend that movie – it’s available now on Netflix and, hopefully, it’ll be screened in Bahrain’s cinemas soon as I’ve been in talks with Cineco.
“It really opened my eyes and I knew I had to do something to both reverse the damage being done and also raise awareness.
“Since then I’ve hosted lectures and Q&A sessions, whilst I’m also in the process of preparing an environmental awareness and waste management programme which will be delivered at training institutes.”
For more information, visit www.cleanupbahrain.net or follow @cleanupbahrain on Instagram.
