KUWAIT CITY, Sept 20: The Kuwait Dive Team of the Environmental Voluntary Foundation (EVF), in collaboration with a group of volunteers, carried out a coastal cleanup at the Kuwait Towers on Saturday, marking World Cleanup Day.

The team removed significant amounts of plastic and microplastic debris, in addition to pieces of old carpets found along the shore, as part of its ongoing efforts to combat marine pollution and raise environmental awareness.

Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the team's International Relations Officer, Dr. Dari Al-Huwail, confirmed the Dive Team’s annual participation in World Cleanup Day, which is held on the third Saturday of September across the globe.

"The campaign aims not only to remove waste from beaches and waterways but also to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the cleanliness of the marine environment," Dr. Al-Huwail said. "Plastic waste poses a significant threat to marine life, including birds and turtles, often resulting in thousands of deaths annually."

Dr. Al-Huwail emphasized that the event is organized in coordination with non-profit organizations and individual volunteers who collect and document the waste. This data is then used to better understand the sources of pollution, identify solutions, and develop strategies to combat marine litter.

He also stressed the Kuwait Dive Team’s year-round commitment to protecting and rehabilitating the marine ecosystem, including cleaning the seabed and coastal areas, which serve both as vital ecological zones and popular tourist destinations.

“The marine environment is not only a natural resource but a heritage we must preserve,” Al-Huwail noted. “Our regular coastal cleanups and environmental efforts are aimed at maintaining ecological balance and sustainability.”

He further praised the joint efforts of public and private sector institutions and civil society organizations in supporting environmental initiatives. Their collaboration, he said, reflects growing environmental consciousness and a shared belief in the necessity of safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

World Cleanup Day is a global civic movement engaging millions of volunteers, governments, and organizations in 180 countries to tackle the global waste crisis through coordinated cleanups and awareness campaigns.

Engaging children to raise environmental awareness.

Clearing old carpets from the shoreline by the Kuwait Towers

Volunteers removing plastic waste from coastal areas