The “Hidhi Plehrat ne Kosh” (Throw Garbage in the Bin) citizen-led initiative has successfully completed another mass cleanup in Albania this weekend.
Following on from their clean-up of Lake Koman in collaboration with several hundred volunteers, activists, and businesses from Albania and Kosovo, this week, they turned their attention to Lake Fierza in Kukes.
Citizens from Peja, Gjakova, Prizren, Gjilani, Prishtina, Kukes, Tirana, Shkodra, Mamuras, and throughout the two countries came together to collect plastic and other rubbish that has collected around the shores of the lack. Organizers estimated more than 100 volunteers gave up their day to help the initiative.
The lake, which is actually a reservoir straddles both Albania and Kosovo and is fed by the White Drin and the Black Drin. With a surface area of 72.6 sq/km, it is 70km long and has a depth of 128 m. Its shores are flanked by canyons, forest, and small islands. The dam itself is 167 feet tall and the area is a Regional Nature Park.
Organizers said they collected a total of 668 large rubbish bags full of trash equating to around 3 tonnes.
The plastic waste was separated out and taken to a special recycling plant in Vlora. The Albanian government doesn’t provide recycling services, so activists had to find a way to dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way.
The citizens who organized the event said they notified the media, but that no one turned up.
Another event has been organized for 25.05.21 at Rugova Gorge in Kosovo. They chose the event as it is one of the most visited tourist spots in the region but is an iconic part of the country.
Organizers of the event include Arben Kola, Donald Dervishi, Elidon Zyka, River Cleanup, Arianit Mula, and Avni Daku amongst others.
