On World Plastic Reduction Day environmental volunteers remove tons of plastic waste
. . . from Kuwait’s coastline, warn of rising threat to Kuwait’s marine life
The Kuwaiti diving team of the Environmental Voluntary Foundation has called for urgent national and community action to reduce the flow of plastic waste into Kuwait’s marine environment, marking World Plastic Reduction Day with renewed warnings over the growing environmental threat.
Mahmoud Ashkanani, environmental projects officer for the diving team, said plastic waste has become a direct and ongoing danger to biodiversity and environmental security, particularly in sensitive marine areas such as Kuwait Bay.
He explained that the team continues its field operations throughout the year to protect beaches and marine habitats. In its latest campaign, the team removed around four tons of harmful plastic waste, abandoned fishing nets, and wooden debris from the southern area of Kuwait Bay, a key breeding ground for marine life.
Ashkanani added that the team has also removed eight tons of waste from the Ashirj coast, one ton from the Jahra Nature Reserve shoreline through youth-led initiatives, and nearly 90 tons of waste and damaged boats from the Fahaheel coast during previous clean-up operations.
He noted that field observations indicate alarming levels of plastic pollution caused by floodwaters, sewage discharge, and littering by beachgoers and fishermen.
The team stressed that long-term solutions require faster implementation of environmental infrastructure projects, including deep sewer systems to prevent pollutants from reaching the sea, alongside stricter enforcement of environmental laws.
Ashkanani warned that plastic waste poses serious risks to marine organisms, wildlife, ecosystems, and human health, calling on individuals and institutions to reduce single-use plastic consumption and support recycling initiatives to help protect Kuwait’s marine resources for future generations.
