National anti-littering campaign kicks off in Ajloun

AMMAN — With the aim of preserving the environment and raising awareness through meaningful cooperation, several parties joined efforts to launch a national clean-up and anti-littering campaign in the forests of Ajloun on Saturday under the name “Ehmehawa Dawerha”, which means “Preserve and Recycle” in Arabic. 

The purpose of the campaign was to collect discarded waste in the forests of Ajloun and sort plastic waste to recycle it, said a statement from campaign organisers made available to The Jordan Times.

The campaign was organised by Ahel Al Balad in collaboration with the Jordan Chamber of Industry, SABIC and the Saudi Cultural Attaché, and was hosted by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature at the Ajloun Forests Reserve. It targeted both Saudi undergraduate students in Jordan and employees in the plastic industry to convey the message that everyone has something to offer to the environment, regardless of their background. 

The campaign focused on the importance of nature as a haven for people, and encouraged participants to become part of a community that cares about preserving the environment and promotes the positive adoption of green practices. 

Mohammad Asfour, co-founder of Ahel Al Balad, expressed his optimism by saying: “We at Ahel Al Balad are very pleased to take part in this important green initiative. Together with our partners from the Jordan Chamber of Industry and with the support of our friends at the Saudi embassy, we are working on addressing an important issue that is facing Jordan — especially its tourism sector. We realise that solving the littering problem needs a collective effort whereby everyone is involved”.

Starting with a clean-up hike in the forests surrounding Ajloun Forest Reserve, the campaign was joined by 100 participants. In addition to cleaning, the campaign included several entertaining and educational activities. Participants had the opportunity to get to know the reserve and experience its adventure facilities. They also joined an awareness session on how to recycle and reuse plastic waste, in addition to learning about Jordan’s natural heritage and the work of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature.