Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM), in collaboration with Din l-Art Helwa and the Malta Environment Foundation (MEF), organised another Comino clean-up on Saturday.

This time, the NGOs focused on clearing glass remnants from the Santa Marija Battery area, resulting in the removal of nearly 600kg of glass waste.

A similar initiative was held last May, during which nearly two tonnes of waste were collected from the area surrounding FoEM’s flagship project, Il-Forn ta’ Kemmuna.

Volunteers, including the Xaghra Scouts Group, together with environmental organisations once again joined forces to clear decades-old glass fragments, many originating from the former Comino Hotel and long scattered across the island’s garigue.

FoEM said that the area surrounding the Santa Marija Battery was heavily blanketed with large deposits of glass waste. The organisation stressed that removing this hazardous material is crucial, as it poses fire risks and threatens the already fragile ecosystem of this protected Natura 2000 site.

With a second area now cleared of hazardous glass deposits, efforts continue to keep Comino clean and protect the flora and fauna that are central to Malta’s indigenous ecosystems. These clean-ups help reduce the cumulative stress placed on the island’s environment due to unmanaged waste and decades-old debris.

Through such initiatives, the organisation said that it aims to foster greater environmental consciousness among the general public to safeguard the area. “Moreover, FoEM’s collaboration with Din l-Art Helwa, custodians of the Santa Marija Tower, highlights the long-standing commitment of both organisations to protecting Comino.”

FoEM’s historic bakery served as a central base where volunteers could gather, rest, and enjoy a plant-based ftira after their hard work. Il-Forn ta’ Kemmuna is FoEM’s flagship project, aimed at creating an environmental education centre on Comino to highlight its significance as a Natura 2000 site.

This year, FoEM said that it continued restoration work and hosted small-scale activities, including these clean-ups, thanks to the support of its associate, the Kaizen Foundation, which is co-funding the first phase of the restoration process.

FoEM expressed its thanks all the volunteers who participated in the clean-up, including the Xaghra Scout Group, as well as Din l-Art Helwa and MEF, for making this clean-up possible. “Thanks to everyone’s efforts, another area of the island has been cleared of debris, although much work remains to be done.”

Finally, FoEM extended its gratitude to the Kaizen Foundation for its generous support in helping establish the environmental education centre on Comino.

This initiative is part of the Ditch the Waste – Save Comino project, which is funded by the Malta Environmental Foundation.

FoEM said that “those who missed the event can still be part of the effort to support Il-Forn ta’ Kemmuna by making a donation.” Find out more here https://kemmuna.org/join-support/

Photo: FoEM

Permalink: Comino clean-up yields almost 600kg of glass waste