Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 20 September, a massive eco-campaign, called "plogging," was organized across all regions of Uzbekistan in celebration of World Cleanup Day under the slogan “Make Space for Life.”

The event was organized by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, the Republican Center for Sanitary Cleanup Operations under the Ministry, in collaboration with Coca-Cola and Uzsanoatqurilishbank.

Participants included the Minister of Ecology, Aziz Abdukhakimov, representatives from the Republican Center for Sanitary Cleanup Operations, Tashkent region’s Department of Ecology, the Ministry’s systemic organizations, young eco-activists, students, and media representatives.

“A place where people don’t litter is cleaner than one where litter is constantly cleaned. Therefore, it is essential not to throw trash in inappropriate places. Our main goal is to change public attitudes towards waste management, thereby reducing waste generation. We must maintain environmental cleanliness every day, not just on World Cleanup Day,” said Aziz Abdukhakimov.

During the plogging event, participants, led by the minister, cleaned designated areas in the Tashkent region. Out of 12 teams, the team from School No. 31 in the Tashkent region took first place, collecting 120 kg of trash. Overall, 575.13 kg of waste was gathered in the Tashkent region, with 100 kg of plastic bottle waste sent for recycling.

Additionally, young eco-artists participated in the event, painting artworks on the theme of environmental cleanliness. At the end of the event, winners and runners-up were awarded prizes and certificates.

Notably, over 1,000 people participated in the eco-campaign across the country. As a result, 36.5 tons of trash were collected in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, other regions, and Tashkent.

World Cleanup Day was first held in Estonia in 2008. In 2023, the movement received the UN Sustainable Development Award for mobilizing 19.1 million people from 211 countries. In Uzbekistan, World Cleanup Day has been celebrated since 2019.