Turkey: About 3 tons of waste removed from Bosphorus

ISTANBUL 

It is alarming to note that 2,950 kilograms of solid waste has been removed from the Bosphorus in just eight days, Ali Agaoglu, head of the Agaoglu Group, said in a statement Thursday.

The waste was removed during a special project "Clean Marine Broom” organized with the support of the Agaoglu Group, the private Turkish group said in the statement.

The Agaoglu Group assumed the sponsorship of the Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association (TURMEPA) for two years, which contributed significantly to the actualization of “Clean Marine Broom” project, the statement said.

The "Clean Marine Broom" began on May 22 and collected nearly three tons of solid waste in just over one week.

The head of Agaoglu Group, Ali Agaoglu, said that the collection of 2,790 kilograms solid waste in just eight days from Bosphorus was alarming.

"The Bosphorus with its unique beauty hides riches in its waters… We owe our children, dolphins and Istanbul a clean sea," Agaoglu said.

"At Agaoglu, we will pursue this issue and we will try to fulfill our duty properly because this nature offers rare beauties and blessings to us. It is our duty to preserve it in the best way possible. We would like to see this work as an example to other players of private sector and invite everyone to be more mindful to this issue."

Also, the Agaoglu Group has won the "Green Business Award" from "New Pursuits Initiative Platform", thanks to its eco-friendly approach in its projects, investments in renewable energy sector and its support to TURMEPA.