The Environment Public Authority (EPA) said Sunday that protecting the environment is a shared societal responsibility that requires cooperation and participation in initiatives aimed at preserving natural resources and ensuring their sustainability for current and future generations.

EPA Director of Public Relations and Media Sheikha Al-Ibrahim told KUNA, marking World Cleanup Day on September 20, that the occasion highlights the importance of environmental protection and promoting a culture of cleanliness and environmental volunteerism in Kuwait.

Al-Ibrahim said protecting the environment requires coordinated efforts to reduce sources of pollution, improve waste management and limit plastic waste and other pollutants that can affect the environment and its components.

She said the EPA places strong emphasis on environmental awareness and education through programs aimed at reducing pollution and maintaining the cleanliness of public areas. The authority also monitors compliance with environmental laws and requirements and cooperates with various organizations and institutions in implementing environmental initiatives and campaigns.

Al-Ibrahim said cleanup campaigns, including coastal cleanups, are important initiatives for promoting environmental awareness because they combine practical fieldwork with direct awareness efforts and help establish a culture of environmental protection.

She noted that Kuwait has a diverse natural environment and said preserving it requires sustained environmental efforts and stronger partnerships among government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations and volunteers, along with greater public awareness.

Al-Ibrahim stressed the importance of encouraging positive behavior and sustainable practices, including avoiding littering in public places, reducing the use of plastic products and preventing plastic waste from being disposed of in the sea.
Such measures, she said, help reduce pollution and protect natural resources, wildlife and marine life.