With the UN Ocean Conference starting in a few days in Hilden, Germany, we advanced our annual clean-up in the vicinity of one of the creeks in town. A group of six inveterate participants swarmed out in 3 couples in different directions. The municipality had provided large orange plastic bags and pincers. Sun cream and gloves were also available to protect the enthusiasts setting out at 14h in warm temperatures.

On parking lots and around bus stops the load of cigarette buts was particularly high and they were the single most numerous and toxic waste collected. Wrapping paper of sweets and other types of paper came a distant second.

After less than two hours of garbage picking, the volunteers came back to base to weigh the results of their effort and exchange observations of what they had found: this time 11 kg.

They all confirmed the general impression of comparatively clean streets and near creek places with rather low levels of litter. But the numbers of cigarette buts surprised all given multiple warnings about their toxicity to water-and soil-living organism by civil society organisations, the press and other media.

Enjoying cake, fruits and coffee together after the garbage collection drive also allowed for many good conversations until the early evening. A lovely way to anticipate World Ocean Day.