Princess Basma launches campaign to combat littering

AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma on Tuesday launched a campaign to end littering and preserve the environment.

Launched at the Haya Cultural Centre, “Throw it Right” is part of a project to protect the environment implemented by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) in cooperation with governmental and non-governmental organisations in Jordan. 

The campaign targets students and families to raise their awareness on the importance of preserving the environment and getting rid of garbage through proper and sanitary means. 

During the launch ceremony, attended by Environment Minister Taher Shakhshir and Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji, Princess Basma said talking about the importance of preserving the environment is not enough and measures should be implemented in everyday activities to become a lasting habit.

HRH also called for intensifying official and civil national efforts to achieve the goals of protecting the environment.

Shakhshir said only 20 per cent of 3 million plastic bags used in Jordan reach landfills for proper processing, which he said requires urgent action. 

The minister also cited Agriculture Ministry statistics saying 200,000 sheep die annually after swallowing plastic bags, adding that in the next few months the Environment Ministry will target 500 schools and tens of hospitals, hotels and government buildings to execute activities facilitating gathering waste.

The development counsellor at the German embassy, Nina Lutter, referred to Jordanian-German cooperation during the past decades to preserve biodiversity and combat desertification as part of the German government’s efforts to support the Kingdom in facing environmental challenges.

Princess Basma signed a letter of commitment with attendees to preserving the environment and throwing trash in designated places, and noted that the campaign aims at reaching 1 million signatures.