Over 500 kg of Waste Collected at Il-Ballut Nature Reserve in Marsaxlokk Date: 6 October 2026
On 2 October, more than 160 participants gathered at the Il-Ballut Nature Reserve and its adjacent beach in Marsaxlokk for a dedicated environmental clean-up. The initiative aimed to protect and restore one of Malta’s most crucial ecological areas, transforming environmental awareness into tangible action.
The event brought together 91 students from St Francis Secondary School, alongside teachers, volunteers, and professionals from Malta’s financial and legal sectors. Through exceptional teamwork, the group successfully collected 505.8 kg of waste in a single morning.
From Classroom to Coastline: Action Driven by Education For the students, this clean-up was a unique opportunity to step outside the classroom and directly address the environmental challenges they study. Equipped with gloves and working in coordinated teams, they cleared debris from the beach, rocky shores, and surrounding habitats.
Representatives from the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) and Nature Trust Malta were on-site to emphasize the broader significance of these efforts. They explained how coastal litter directly threatens protected ecosystems and, ultimately, our own communities. Il-Ballut Nature Reserve has been under the stewardship of Nature Trust Malta since 2018, and initiatives like this are vital for maintaining its ecological integrity.
Teamwork, Competition, and Measurable Impact Collecting half a tonne of waste in just a few hours highlights both the scale of plastic pollution and the incredible power of community action.
To make the experience engaging for the younger participants, the clean-up featured a friendly competition. The winning student team collected an impressive 119 kg of waste and was awarded Garmin Forerunner watches. Other top-performing teams received prizes including aquarium tickets with lunch, passes to Splash & Fun Water Park, Wild Malta tickets, and Futura-branded reusable bottles.
A Community Event to Remember Hosted by presenter Claire Agius Ordway, the morning balanced hard work with educational talks and insights from our organizational partners. A special appearance by the environmental mascot Xummiemu added a memorable, lighthearted touch for the students.
The event concluded with a powerful aerial gathering, where participants held the flags of Malta and the European Union—a fitting symbol of our shared responsibility toward the environment.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainability Environmental protection requires active collaboration between institutions, businesses, schools, and citizens. For Futura Investment Management, supporting this initiative was a meaningful way to contribute practically while empowering the next generation of environmental stewards.
- 505.8 kg of waste collected.
- 91 students engaged.
- 160+ total participants.
- One shared commitment to Malta’s environment.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the students, teachers, volunteers, partners, and organizers who made this day a resounding success.
Watch the video highlights below to relive the energy, teamwork, and results of our clean-up at Il-Ballut Nature Reserve.
