Deriv Malta marks World Environment Day with beach cleanup

On a bright June afternoon, a group of us traded our desks for gloves, rubbish bags, and a shared mission.

To mark World Environment Day, volunteers from our Malta office joined forces with Żibel, one of Malta’s leading environmental NGOs, for a coastal clean-up at the stunning Għajn Tuffieħa Bay. What followed was more than just a few hours of volunteering. It became a reminder of what can happen when people come together with a common purpose.

Founded in 2017, Żibel has grown from a small volunteer initiative into a nationwide movement dedicated to protecting Malta’s coastlines and marine ecosystems. Through clean-ups, environmental education, and community engagement, the organisation continues to inspire thousands of volunteers to care for the natural spaces that make the islands so special.

Against the backdrop of one of Malta’s most beautiful beaches, we arrived ready to contribute. While the group was smaller than anticipated, the determination and enthusiasm on display never felt small. Under the summer sun and across challenging terrain, everyone remained focused on the task at hand, supporting one another every step of the way.

Over three hours, the team spread out across different sections of the bay, collecting litter that had accumulated along the shoreline and surrounding areas. By the end of the clean-up, an impressive 131.86 kilograms of waste had been removed from the environment. As volunteer Milan Peric put it, "even small efforts can add up to something significant when we work together." Looking across the piles of collected debris at the end of the day, it was hard to disagree.

Among the items collected were plastic bottles, glass, wood, metal fragments, cans, fishing ropes, and discarded fishing lines. The numbers told an important story. Nearly 26 kilograms of the waste consisted of fishing ropes and lines, while 67 kilograms were metal fragments. These materials can remain in the environment for years, posing a threat to marine life and affecting the health of coastal ecosystems.

Yet the day was about more than the amount of rubbish collected.

It was about colleagues from different teams working side by side, sharing conversations, encouraging one another through the heat, and finding satisfaction in seeing the immediate results of their efforts. It was about taking responsibility for the places we live in and recognising that meaningful change often starts with simple actions.

For many volunteers, the clean-up left a lasting impression.

One reflected on the power of collective action: "The experience reminded me how even small efforts can add up to something significant when we work together." Beyond the environmental impact, it was a chance to connect with colleagues outside the usual work setting.

Another volunteer valued stepping away from the daily routine to contribute hands-on: "What stayed with me most was seeing how much of a difference we could make as a team." Despite the heat and rocky terrain, the day was surprisingly enjoyable and good for a laugh, given the sheer number of stray flip-flops found along the shore.

For one volunteer who moved to Malta from abroad, the clean-up felt personal: "Even if our individual help feels small, coming together as a team makes a massive difference." Helping protect a place she has come to love made the day especially meaningful.

The experience was particularly special for a volunteer who grew up near Għajn Tuffieħa and took part alongside her daughter: "Working alongside everyone was a great hands-on lesson for her in taking care of the environment." Sharing the day through her daughter's eyes made it one to remember.

These moments reflect the values that define our culture at Deriv, proof that impact doesn't require grand gestures, just people giving their time and choosing to leave a place better than they found it.

The bags of collected waste were the most visible result, but not the only one, stronger connections, shared pride, and a collective commitment to the environment mattered just as much. As we look ahead to future CSR initiatives, this day at Għajn Tuffieħa Bay is a reminder that when Derivians come together, even a few hours can make a lasting difference.