What you need for a beach cleanup day

A beach cleanup needs more than litter pickers and rubbish bags. Plan drinking water, coffee, sandwiches and snacks for the full volunteer group, plus gloves, safety vests and first aid supplies. You will also need a clear setup for sorting waste, tables for registration and enough shade if people will stay on the beach for several hours. Buy or pack these items before the day so setup does not depend on a last-minute shop run.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 40
Tableclothsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 40
Pouring jugsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 8

Equipment

Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Scalesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 2

Sports equipment

Litter pickersqty 24
Work bucketsqty 24
Sorting traysqty 12
Work glovesqty 40

Safety

Safety vestsqty 40
First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6
Handheld megaphone

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Hand broomsqty 4
Crane gamesqty 4
Washing-up basinsqty 3
Reusable dish towelsqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Decorations

Welcome signsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Cheese slices - 2 kilos
- Shoulder ham - 1,5 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Vegan toppings - 6 packages
- Butter - 4 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Muesli bars - 50 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Whole grain cookies - 6 packs
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Lemonade - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Sunscreen - 8 bottles
- Rain ponchos - 20 pieces

Tips

Allow at least 1 litre of drinking water per volunteer for a half-day cleanup, and bring extra cups or reusable bottles. Chill drinks in coolers before volunteers arrive.
Plan 2 sandwiches or an equivalent snack per person, plus coffee and tea for the break. Check dietary requirements before shopping so vegetarian, vegan or allergy-friendly options are not forgotten.
Count one pair of work gloves and one litter picker per active volunteer, then add 10% spare equipment. A damaged glove or missing picker should not stop a team from working.
Prepare one sorting area with clearly marked trays or bins for the main waste categories. Bring scales if you want to record the collected amount rather than only filling bags.
Pack the easy-to-forget practical items: hand soap, dish brushes, reusable towels, extension cords and LED lamps. Put first aid kits and the megaphone at the registration desk before teams leave for their zones.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a beach cleanup day?: Plan at least 1 litre of drinking water per volunteer for a cleanup lasting up to four hours. Add another 500 ml per person in hot weather, and keep the water chilled in coolers.
How many gloves and litter pickers should I buy?: Provide one pair of work gloves and one litter picker for each active volunteer. Add roughly 10% spare equipment, so a group of 30 needs 33 pairs of gloves and 33 pickers.
What food should I bring to a beach cleanup?: Bring about 2 sandwiches or equivalent portions per volunteer, plus snacks for the break. Include at least one suitable option for every dietary requirement collected during registration.
What safety supplies are needed for a beach cleanup?: Pack one safety vest per volunteer, at least one first aid kit at the registration point, and a handheld megaphone for instructions. Keep flashlights or LED lamps available if setup or cleanup continues in low light.

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