JEDDAH: More than 500 people helped to clean up Khaleej Salman and Alexandria beaches in Jeddah on Saturday during an event organized by Hejaz Ploggers, a Saudi community group.
The volunteers picked up trash from the beach, while 20 divers removed waste from the seabed. Altogether, more than 50,000 discarded items were removed.
The group organized the event to mark World Cleanup Day on Sept. 18, one of the biggest global civic movements, which spans 180 countries in an effort to achieve a cleaner planet.
“We are a committed team united to restore the environmental dimension into our lifestyles, and ultimately shape and build sustainable habits that improve the quality of life around the vast demographic,” Hejaz Ploggers organizer Ruaa Mahmoud told Arab News. “In the end, we produce a better culture that can sustain its being across the centuries ahead.”
Saudi Vision 2030 is playing a big role in environmental issues through improvements to laws and regulations, and the promotion of recycling and use of sustainable products. It aims to develop eco-friendly practices that can lessen our footprint on the environment to boost the ecotourism sector.
Ruaa Mahmoud, Hejaz Ploggers organizer
She said that Saudi Vision 2030 is playing a big role in environmental issues through improvements to laws and regulations, and the promotion of recycling and use of sustainable products.
“It aims to develop eco-friendly practices that can lessen our footprint on the environment to boost the ecotourism sector,” she added.
As the Kingdom aims to develop and grow its tourism sector, Mahmoud believes efforts to improve and maintain a cleaner environment will play a key role in achieving this. This motivated the members of the ploggers’ group to take action and use their skills and public profile for the greater good.
“Plogging is heavily involved in physical activity, coupled with culture, sustainability and national tourism,” said Mahmoud.
Group members will continue to use their influence in an effort to promote positive change, she added.
“We have amazing stuff in store, from World Volunteer Day to breast cancer awareness and so much more, to celebrate international days relating to the common good of Saudi society,” she said.
