The “Zero Waste Garbage Collection Marathon” got underway at the Girne Boğaz Picnic site on Sunday.

A total of 200kgs of plastic garbage and glass was collected on the first day.

The event was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu.

Speaking at the event, Ataoğlu said that the goal of the competition was to leave behind a cleaner country for future generations.

The first stage of the “Zero Waste Garbage Collection Marathon” competition being held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment of the TRNC to raise environmental awareness among the population and which will take place in different cities of the TRNC throughout May was held at the Girne Boğaz Picnic Site on Monday.

The mountain of garbage collected at the site in just one hour revealed the country’s poor level of awareness towards the environment.

More than 200 kg of plastic garbage including nylon shopping bags and glass was collected at the event.

Attending the organisation, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu said that the goal of the competition was to leave behind a cleaner country for future generations.

Ataoğlu who toured the picnic site with an entourage of his bureaucrats handed out large garbage bags to members of the public, advising them to be more conscious towards the environment.

The next event will be held in Lefkoşa on May 11 followed by an event in Gazimağusa on May 18 and Lefke/Güzelyurt on May 25.

The winners of the marathon, who collect the most garbage, will be awarded at a ceremony held on World Environment Day, June 5, at the old Girne Harbour.

Three categories are provided in total: awards will be given to the first two teams that collect the most garbage, the largest amount of recyclable waste, and the most glass.

The total prize fund of the marathon is ₺40,000.

Applications to participate in the marathon are accepted from groups of four people through the accounts of the Youth Federation on social networks, as well as through a special application.