A clean-up isn’t rocket science. However, there are a few things that need to be sorted out beforehand. This is particularly important if more than five people are taking part, or if it’s clear that there will be so much rubbish that it won’t fit in a standard public bin.
Preparation:
Find and check a suitable location for the clean-up (e.g. no clean-ups in nature reserves, etc.). If needed, the local environmental agency or we will be happy to help you find a suitable location.
Liaise with the local authorities (environmental agency and waste management) to announce the clean-up and ensure the rubbish is disposed of properly afterwards. Almost every town now has a designated contact person for clean-ups.
Check whether there are already registered groups whose location or timing conflicts with the planned clean-up, and contact them to resolve the issue. Solutions could include dividing the collection area or moving to a different location.
Register an open or closed group on the relevant river page for the event. We encourage the creation of open groups to allow as many people as possible to take part in the clean-ups.
The following applies to both groups:
• A short, concise information text about the clean-up, including key details such as time, meeting point, duration and contact details.
• Will the collection equipment (bin bags, gloves, litter pickers) be provided, or do participants need to bring their own?
• Organisers should contact participants in good time. It is best to send a reminder to everyone 1–2 days before the event, confirming the event details and what else needs to be brought along. Please also let people know if the event is cancelled.
For a clean-up, allow 1–1.5 hours for children. For teenagers and adults, allow 2–3 hours.
For open groups:
• Encourage local residents, clubs and other organisations to get involved. Promotional materials, such as leaflets and posters, can be downloaded from our river pages.
• If appropriate, bring the event to the attention of the local media.
Carry out the clean-up: hand out materials at the meeting point, including a brief introduction, particularly regarding what to bear in mind during the clean-up. Remain on site as the contact person until the clean-up is over and all rubbish bags have been deposited as agreed with the authorities. If necessary, check that everything has been removed.
Register your clean-up
We’re always delighted to receive photos of your clean-up (ideally featuring the river flags) along with key details such as the number of participants, the amount of rubbish collected and the atmosphere. Perhaps you made any special finds?
Preparation is key. Once the main details of the clean-up have been finalised, it’s up to the group organisers to get the volunteers in the right frame of mind for the event itself.
How best to prepare and what to bear in mind.
What is needed for the clean-up itself?
Clothing suitable for the weather.
Sturdy, non-slip footwear. On the riverbanks, it’s easy to slip, especially on stones.
Hand sanitiser and wound disinfectant, as well as plasters in case anyone gets injured.
At least one mobile phone to report any unusual items of rubbish found or to call for help.
If no clean-up equipment is provided: make sure you have rubbish bags, work gloves and possibly litter pickers.
Take plenty to drink with you.
A handcart is recommended for transporting your food and drink during the clean-up, or perhaps full rubbish bags if there is a central collection point for them.
What should you bear in mind when carrying out the clean-up?
We collect rubbish from the shore, not from the water. We’ll leave that to the experts.
Please avoid areas of the riverbank that are difficult to access.
Please take care not to injure yourself on sharp or pointed objects. If necessary, wrap these in other rubbish and place them in the bin bag. People often injure themselves when the bin bag hits their legs whilst collecting rubbish.
In isolated cases, ammunition from the Second World War has been found. Please do not touch it, but inform the authorities immediately via the emergency number 112.
Do not throw hazardous waste such as batteries into the rubbish bags; dispose of them properly instead. Depending on what you find, particularly in the case of heavy, large or unidentifiable items, please inform the Environmental Agency. Provide a photo of the find and the location.
Please leave homeless people’s belongings untouched. Unless they are clearly abandoned. But if in doubt, simply leave them be.
Please deposit the collected rubbish only at the agreed collection points.
At the end of the clean-up, please pack the rubbish bags as compactly as possible. In other words: do not dump full rubbish bags together.
Do you have any questions?
If you need further information or assistance, please contact us by email!
