Suriname marks World Cleanup Day

Millions of people marked World Cleanup Day on Saturday, joining what was set to be the biggestever single day of volunteerbased waste collection efforts.

The idea came about 10 years ago in Estonia in 2008 from an organization called Let’s Do It!, when 4 percent of the population came out to clean the country of illegally dumped waste.

Since then, the movement has spread across the world, and nearly 20 million people have taken part.

Reports on the numbers of volunteers who took part on Saturday indicate an estimated count of 13 million people, however, results are still being updated. Cleanups were organised in 152 countries around the world. Surinamese citizens also did their part on World Cleanup Day. The Stibula Foundation reportedly organized a special cleanup at Weg naar Zee. For three days volunteers collected garbage along the coastal region. The coordinator at the neighborhood organization, Wilgo Koster, explained that the nation must realize the value of nature. “Clean ups must not be left for volunteers to do as every Surinamese citizen must do his or her part. If the pollution of the coastal region does not stop, nothing will be left for our descendants,” said Koster. The volunteers mostly collected plastic bags and bottles. Koster pointed out that this is a clear indication of how easy it is for people to throw a bag or bottle at random locations instead of throwing it in a garbage can. Stibula plans on organizing cleanups in various neighborhoods on a monthly basis. The foundation hopes to raise awareness about environment pollution with its campaign.