Clean Up the World 2016 message by Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Didier Dogley

Clean Up the World 2016 message by Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Didier Dogley

17-September-2016
‘Stop littering and wantonly disposing of garbage’

The annual Clean Up the World campaign started yesterday and this year the national theme is: Minister Dogley‘Netway nou Sesel’.
The aim of the theme is to appeal to each and every one of us to stop littering and wantonly disposing of garbage, Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Didier Dogley has said in his message;
The minister’s message reads:
“From September 16-18 we will be celebrating Clean Up the World together with the rest of the World. Clean Up the World has a compelling story behind it. It was started not by any authority, government or intergovernmental agency but by one man. Back in 1987, an Australian by the name of Ian Kierna decided that he could not sit back anymore and watch how his local environment, day after day, was being degraded by garbage. He decided, as an individual to do something about it. Through his efforts, he mobilised friends, colleagues, volunteers and other resources to clean up his community. Thirty nine years later, Clean Up the World has become a worldwide movement with more than 35 million people from over 130 countries participating in the event.
“What is exceptional about this story is that even when the task may seem so daunting sometime it takes only one person to change the world. It is an example where one man troubled by what he saw as an abuse to the environment decided to appeal to others to take their civic responsibility seriously.
“Seychelles participated for the first time in the Clean Up the World event back in 1998. Since then every year, government employees, school children, volunteers from the communities and private companies have all joined together during the Clean Up the World weekend and cleaned up Seychelles.
“The national theme for this year is: ‘Netway nou Sesel’. The aim of the theme is to appeal to each and every one of us to stop littering and wantonly disposing of garbage.
“Our Constitution provides for all of us to live in a clean, healthy and balanced environment. This is not a luxury but a basic need, if we want to live healthy and happy lives. The well-being of our environment has a direct impact on our own well being because we are part of that same system. So let us take our responsibility. Our individual contributions may seem small but when combined, it has the ability to make a huge difference.
“Although today our streets and public areas are clean, this is only achievable through major efforts and investments from government agencies and cleaning contractors. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go in changing the mindsets of some of our countrymen towards our environment.
“Littering and illegal waste disposal is still rampant. While the government with the support of civil society continues to raise awareness about the threat unmanaged solid waste poses to the environment and our health, it seems that the impact is not far reaching enough. Earlier this year we had an outbreak of dengue fever, which was exasperated by an increase in the population of the vector mosquito; breeding in pools of water collected in used containers present in the environment. The Ministry of Health with the support of the Department of Environment and Landscape and Waste Agency mounted a campaign to clean up Seychelles. This had the desired impact because an unprecedented amount of waste was removed from the environment on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue within a short period of time resulting in a reduction of the number of dengue fever cases.
“This Clean Up the World campaign starts with each one of us. We must all take our responsibility in ensuring Seychelles remains that jewel we are proud of. We can all make a small contribution towards cleaning up our communities by encouraging our relatives, friends, work colleagues and neighbours to join us in a clean-up activity; not just today, but also in the future.”

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=251068

2016 Clean Up the World campaign: 178 tonnes of waste collected during weekend

19-September-2016
At around midday yesterday a total of 178 tonnes of waste had been collected in the Clean Up the World campaign which started on Friday and went on during the whole weekend.
According to the Land Waste Management Agency (LWMA) the rubbish collected consists mainly of scrap metal and old appliances like refrigerators, freezers, cookers, washing machines, television sets and so on. Dirty waste such as old beds and mattresses are also part of the lot.
The largest quantity of waste – 110 tonnes – was collected on Saturday while by Friday evening only 13 tonnes had reached the Providence landfill. The other 55 tonnes crossed the weighing machine before noon yesterday, when collection stopped for the weekend.
LWMA waste management consultant Lemmy Payet said despite the quantity collected is more or less the same as last year, the figures will rise as people are still depositing garbage by the road sides. Only by the middle of the week when collection is completed will the agency be in a position to communicate the right numbers.
Driving around the islands during the last three days, one would have been of the impression that the amount of waste taken from homes around the country had dropped this year. This is because not much was visible, mostly at bin sites.
Mr Payet explained that this was due to quick and systematic collection as the unwanted items were deposited.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=251081