Looking back: three cleanup events in autumn 2025

26 Oct Ingolstadt · 22 Nov Vlotho · 29 Nov Dangast

Between 26 October and 29 November 2025 we held three litter-picking events across Germany. We collected a lot of rubbish and, at two of the three locations, connected with local initiatives: OurFuture e.V. in Ingolstadt and Müllfrei Exter in Vlotho. In Dangast we organised the event ourselves.

Each event opened with a roughly 45-minute interactive session on biodiversity by researchers from the Albert Hofmann Institute for Physiochemical Sustainability. Afterwards, everyone came together over light snacks and hot and cold drinks.

Across the three events we reached more than 60 volunteers from outside our team. As a thank-you for their time and effort, every participant who wasn't involved in the planning received €10 in cash – this wasn't announced in advance and was always a welcome surprise.

We are confident we achieved our goals: we left each of the three sites noticeably cleaner than we found them. In Ingolstadt, a bicycle was even pulled out of the water. The biggest challenge was the weather – by the end of November it was already quite cold. Otherwise, we're sure, we could have reached many more people.

Thank you to everyone who joined in!