The campaign against littering in nature remains a free, community-driven effort. A new version of the project, created through a partnership between SEO/BirdLife and Ecoembes, mobilizes citizens, organizations, and authorities to clear garbage from nearby natural spaces. The initiative emphasizes that waste left in the environment is a free source of pollution with serious consequences for fires and biodiversity loss. As summer approaches, clearing natural areas of abandoned debris becomes more urgent, according to the organizing groups.
This seventh edition of Against Garbage 1m2 aligns with World Environment Day, inviting people from all sectors of society to join a broad network of volunteers and supporters. The goal is to collect waste from beaches, rivers, or mountains and demonstrate the power of collective action in protecting natural heritage.
Volunteer participation is showcased in photos and reports from the field, highlighting the human effort behind the campaign.
Individuals, companies, organizations, and associations interested in joining this edition can participate in three simple ways:
– Create and manage a collection point in any natural area in Spain, with coordination open through late May.
– Register at designated collection points by early June, using the reference map of upcoming events maintained by the program organizers.
– Promote the campaign through social networks and the hashtags linked to the initiative.
An extraordinary spring
The collection effort also uses a mobile app, developed by collaborating associations, to help participants identify the waste collected and contribute to a broader dataset on natural areas. This process supports a clearer understanding of local environmental challenges and the search for place-specific solutions, while enriching the overall environmental knowledge base.
Through the app and related datasets, volunteers contribute to a global view of waste in nature and help build a comprehensive picture of where improvements are needed. The campaign has built a substantial database detailing collected waste across years and locations, supporting ongoing environmental action.
Over the years, many schools, training centers, businesses, and civil groups have joined the effort, spanning dozens of municipalities. The network proudly highlights natural heritage and raises awareness among neighbors and visitors about the impact of leaving waste in the environment. This nationwide mobilization reflects a commitment to cleaner, safer outdoor spaces.
Visual materials illustrate the ongoing campaign and the tireless work of volunteers, further reinforcing the message of community engagement and environmental stewardship.
Guidance for action comes from organizations coordinating waste management across natural areas, including several protected spaces where Libera operates throughout the year. The collaboration extends to research, education, social, and sports organizations that contribute across various sectors.
Experts note that climate-related pressures on ecosystems require faster, broader mobilization. The campaign emphasizes a clear call to reduce the negative impact on nature and to defend outdoor spaces against waste-related threats as temperatures rise.
Opportunity to act
The organizers urge communities to set an example by participating in this edition and to keep natural spaces free of waste. The aim is to reduce the risk of litter fires and to promote practical, near-term solutions that protect local environments.
Leaders encourage everyone within reach to take action, discover nearby opportunities, collaborate on solutions, and contribute to a cleaner outdoor landscape. The broader network continues to grow, uniting everyday activists with shared values and a common commitment to solving the waste problem in nature.
This large annual event has shown strong momentum, with thousands of volunteers contributing to hundreds of natural spaces. Since its inception, thousands of volunteers have participated and tackled large quantities of waste, supported by a dedicated effort to characterize and analyze the waste generated in outdoor spaces.
The campaign aims to raise awareness and mobilize the public to rid natural areas of waste, adopting a three-pronged strategy: knowledge, prevention, and participation. Information about upcoming efforts and regional events is shared through the program’s project platform.
Inquiries and updates about the campaign are coordinated through the environmental program channels, with regular communications about regional activities and progress.