October 6, 2022
Press releases
ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia – For the annual World Clean-Up Day on the 17 September, with the power of youth, 8100 kg of garbages along the 8km (more than 4km on both side) of the Selbe river bank were removed.
Under the initiative of the European Union and Ministry of Environment and Tourism, led by “Sustainable Plastic Recycling in Mongolia” project and Tuvshin Saikhan Munkh NGO, along with many other partners organized the World Clean Up day in Mongolia. But the real heroes were the team of 350 volunteers who joined the event despite the cold Saturday to show solidarity on a Global Day of Compassion for our environment and joining more than 60 million fellow youth in 191 countries.
“For this year’s clean-up we focus on the Power of Youth, as 2022 is the European Year of Youth. This means we stress the importance of the role of youth in building a better future, a greener future. You are invaluable change makers when it comes to Green Sustainable Development, one of our main priorities in Mongolia. When it comes to waste management in Mongolia, our focus is on the 3Rs: [Reduce, Reuse, Recycle]. That is why today we do not only Reduce by cleaning up waste, but also Reuse through the swap thrift shop, and recycle by collecting recyclables from the community.” said H.E. Ms. Axelle Nicaise, Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia during the opening ceremony of the event.
To kick off the World Clean-Up Day in Ulaanbaatar, Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia Axelle Nicaise handed the 10 steps towards a Greener Offices to Bat-Erdene, Minister of Environment and Tourism, a pledge to sustainable and greening actions to take in the office to reduce waste and carbon footprint. Total of 19 international organizations have endorsed it.
Minister Bat-Erdene thanked the Ambassadors for green initiative and said to visit the offices for experience sharing. He continued to say “Over the last month, under the initiative of the Ministry, more than 1446 tons of waste have been removed from banks of rivers, shores of lakes and waterways across the country with the support of many organizations. Our next step will be to reduce the soil pollutants around the water resources. Hope we continue our strong commitment to waste management in Mongolia.”
The Selbe river is an important part of the city’s ecosystem. Ulaanbaatar has lost much of its natural biodiversity, a sad fact that necessitates urgent protection and restoration of the remaining natural spaces in the urban area. Therefore, the project team organized the Clean Up Day event with other additional activities.
In addition to cleaning the banks of the Selbe River, participants brought recyclables from home and work, which were sorted and delivered to the recycling plant where it will find life as new products.
World Clean Up Day also brought together a stunning market of climate conscious activities and businesses. In the ReHome Corner, locals and participants exchanged and donated their pre-loved clothes, accessories and household items. The corner was created with the kind help of the Shkaf thrift store, a business pioneering the market for secondhand clothing use (upcycling) in Mongolia. The Mongolian Association for wheelchair users sold their fair trade eco gifts made from recycled newspapers and Huriin Shim LLC sold their natural honey which supports local ecosystems with an army of pollinators. ROC served coffees with a generous discount to volunteers who turned in recyclables or old clothing or household items to donate.
“For this World Clean Up Day activity, over 200 volunteers registered to participate. We expected less people to actually come to the event due to the cold weather. Surprisingly, over 350 volunteers came to clean the Selbe river bank. It really shows how people are motivated to keep their surroundings clean. It is important to be conscious all the time besides just this one day.” said Sanchirgarav Batzorig, Technical Coordinator of Sustainable Plastic Recycling in Mongolia Project.
This event is initiated by the European Union Delegation to Mongolia, and co-organized by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the United Nations Development Program, the French Embassy in Mongolia, Tuvshin Saikhan Munkh NGO, Ungu Nem NGO, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Tuul River Basin Authority, the 3R4UB project, R.O.C coffee shop, Shkaf, Khuriin shim LLC, and Eco gift LLC, Mongolian United Integrated Waste Management Association, Eelltei uildel NGO, Journalists' Club for Sustainable Development and BZD 29th khoroo of Ulaanbaatar city.
About the project: The SPRIM project contributes to economic prosperity and poverty reduction by supporting the development of a green economy and the transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and circular economy in Mongolia. It is implemented by the Caritas Czech Republic in Mongolia along with four project partners: Environment and Security Center of Mongolia, EcoSoum, Mongolian Sustainable Development Bridge, and T.G. Masaryk Water Research Institute. More information is found here.
Contact info: For project or media-related inquiries, please contact Botakuz Makhsul, Project assistant: Botakuz.makhsul@caritas.cz phone: +(976) 90319062
