Hundreds of volunteers help clean up Jeddah beaches

The volunteers picked up trash from the beach, while 20 divers removed waste from the seabed. Altogether, more than 50,000 discarded items were removed.

The group organized the event to mark World Cleanup Day on Sept. 18, one of the biggest global civic movements, which spans 180 countries in an effort to achieve a cleaner planet.

“We are a committed team united to restore the environmental dimension into our lifestyles, and ultimately shape and build sustainable habits that improve the quality of life around the vast demographic,” Hejaz Bloggers organizer Ruaa Obied told Arab News. “In the end, we produce a better culture that can sustain its being across the centuries ahead.”

She said that Saudi Vision 2030 is playing a big role in environmental issues through improvements to laws and regulations, and the promotion of recycling and use of sustainable products.

“It aims to develop eco-friendly practices that can lessen our footprint on the environment to boost the ecotourism sector,” she added.

As the Kingdom aims to develop and grow its tourism sector, Obied believes efforts to improve and maintain a cleaner environment will play a key role in achieving this. This motivated the members of the bloggers’ group to take action and use their skills and public profile for the greater good.

“Blogging is heavily involved in physical activity, coupled with culture, sustainability and national tourism,” said Obied.

Group members will continue to use their influence in an effort to promote positive change, she added.

“We have amazing stuff in store, from World Volunteer Day to breast cancer awareness and so much more, to celebrate international days relating to the common good of Saudi society,” she said.