Four Days for a Clean Future

At least 1,820 people set an example at the South Tyrol CleanUP Days 2025

From September 18 to 21 2025, South Tyrol was once again transformed into a major hub for practical environmental protection. For the third edition of the South Tyrol CleanUP Days, around 1,820 volunteers registered – with many more participating spontaneously and without registration. Together, they collected trash along approximately 1,350 kilometers, actively advocating for a clean landscape and strengthening awareness for a respectful approach to nature.

The initiative is part of the transregional CleanUP Tour by the non-profit association PATRON e.V. and is implemented in South Tyrol in close cooperation with IDM South Tyrol and thirteen different destinations.

Trash Collection with Impact — and a True Connection to Nature

Following the motto “Get out into nature, collect trash, and make a statement,” locals, guests, schools, clubs, and companies followed the simple CleanUP principle: choose a route, register the action online, and get started. The result: around 190 registered CleanUPs covering a total of 1,350 kilometers on the interactive CleanUP Map, leading to visibly cleaner paths, meadows, and waterways throughout South Tyrol.

Since not all participants recorded their activity digitally, the organizers assume that the actual number of people involved is significantly higher. Many took the opportunity spontaneously, for example, as part of an excursion or a hike. This shows that the idea works — it's low-threshold, unifying, and sustainable.

Tourism Leads by Example in Environmental Protection

The involvement of tourism stakeholders was once again a key element of the event's success in 2025. Some hotels and businesses even organized their own CleanUPs with guests and staff. Manuela Summerer, project manager at IDM South Tyrol, emphasizes: “Sustainable tourism means not just talking about responsibility, but living it together. The CleanUP Days achieve exactly that: genuine encounters, genuine action – and a shared vision for South Tyrol.”

Theresia Ploner, sustainability manager at the Konsortium Zukunft Ahrntal, also draws a positive conclusion: “The Ahrntal lives from its nature – that's precisely why it's a matter of course for us to take responsibility and be part of the South Tyrol CleanUP Days for the third time. It's fascinating to observe how new teams and people join every year and support this initiative with enthusiasm. It's moving – in the truest sense of the word.”

step by step to CleanUP - HOW TO

Anyone can join us!

Registration is very easy & of course free of charge. If you are joining us for the first time, you will find step-by-step instructions on how the CleanUP Days work & how you can become part of the PATRON community on this page. Together for #plasticfreepeaks.

PLANNING.
Choose day, team & tour.
Whether you're going alone, with friends, colleagues or family: choose a day during the respective period of our CleanUP events and think about which route you want to take to give something back to nature.
Still not sure which route you want to take? Get inspiration from our CleanUP Map. Here you will find great tour tips from our tourism partners under the filter "Distribution points for CleanUP kits".

REGISTER.
In the interactive CleanUP Map, you can enter your planned CleanUP and see where rubbish is already being collected. Check whether your favourite route is already being cleaned up. No? Then register your tour so that your commitment can also be seen on the map and added to the impact at the end.

EQUIPPING.
Ready? Then get your CleanUP Kit!
During the CleanUP Days, you can pick up your free kit, consisting of a recyclable and reusable fabric bag and stainless steel tongs, at one of our CleanUP Kit pick-up stations. You can also find the stations on the CleanUP Map.

SETTING OFF.
Registered & equipped? Let's go!
Set off, clean up and enjoy nature, the fun in a group and the great feeling of making a difference together.
Enjoy your CleanUP Hike!

SHARING.
Show us your commitment under the hashtag #grabitandtagit on Instagram and motivate more people to become part of the #plasticfreepeaks movement.

DISPOSING.
After your tour, you can empty your bin liner into the bins provided at a drop-off point. Your CleanUP Kit itself is intended to be kept and reused - please do not dispose of it! We will take care of the disposal of the collected rubbish afterwards. You can also find all drop-off points on the CleanUP Map.

CELEBRATING.
Celebrate that you have given something back to Mother Nature - and connect with other PATRONs.
Because we're about more than just cleaning up. At many tour stops, we organise a #patronconcert, a workshop, Community CleanUP Hike, CleanUP Talk or other events to exchange ideas, get informed and educated or simply enjoy the community around a campfire. Find out about our plans on the website of the respective tour stop. .

REPEAT.
Every Day is CleanUP Day.
You can also do good outside of the PATRON CleanUP Tour. You can register a private CleanUP on the CleanUP Map at any time. Just pack your CleanUP kit on your next hike and off you go!

Any questions left?
WE HAVE ANSWERS.