What to bring for a cleaning route

A cleaning route needs more than litter pickers and bags. You will also need work boats, paddles, life jackets, waterproof route materials, waste weighing equipment, and a clear way to communicate on the water. Plan refreshments for the first hour, plus lunch packages if the route lasts through midday. Check quantities against your participant list before shopping, and arrange anything that needs charging, drying, or transporting at least one day ahead.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 30
Party tentsqty 2
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Work boatsqty 8
Paddlesqty 16
Life jacketsqty 30
Walkie-Talkiesqty 4
Megaphone
Scale
Power banksqty 4
Charging plugsqty 4
Route mapsqty 12
Waterproof clipboardsqty 8
Markersqty 12
Clipboardsqty 4
Waste weighing formsqty 30

Cleaning

Litter pickersqty 20
Landing netsqty 12
Bucketsqty 12
Reusable work glovesqty 30
Rubber bootsqty 10
Hand broomsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Trash grabbersqty 6
Clotheslinesqty 2
Drying racksqty 2

Safety

Life ringsqty 4
Throwing materialsqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Safety vestsqty 30
Flashlightsqty 6
Waterproof phone casesqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 50
Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable cutleryqty 40
Coffee potsqty 3
Teapotsqty 2

Catering

Coolersqty 4
Thermos bottlesqty 4
Water jugsqty 4
Serving traysqty 6
Food containersqty 8
Ice packsqty 20
Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread rolls - 40 pieces
- Wholemeal rolls - 40 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 1 kilogram
- Ham - 1.5 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea bags - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Honey - 2 jars
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Vegetarian wraps - 30 pieces
- Chicken wraps - 30 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Pepper - 1 grinder
- Salt - 1 pack
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable bags - 50 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 4 boxes
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning sponges - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces

Tips

Give every participant a reusable pair of work gloves and suitable footwear; rubber boots are useful when people need to work from muddy banks or shallow water.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add coffee, tea, and lunch packages if participants will still be on the route around midday.
Prepare separate, clearly labelled waste bags or bins before departure so collected material can be sorted and taken to the waste disposal point without repacking.
Charge walkie-talkies, power banks, and other communication equipment the evening before. Pack charging plugs as well, because a full battery at home does not help during a long route.
Keep safety equipment together at the launch point: life jackets, life rings, throwing materials, first aid kits, safety vests, flashlights, and waterproof phone cases should be easy to reach, not buried in a supply box.

Frequently asked questions

What supplies do I need for a river cleaning route?: Bring litter pickers or trash grabbers, landing nets, buckets, reusable work gloves, waste bags or bins, and cleaning tools for the banks. For boat work, include work boats, paddles, life jackets, route maps, and waterproof clipboards.
How many drinks should I buy for a cleaning day?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add more according to the route length and weather. Include coffee and tea if people will register early or work through the morning, and prepare one lunch package per participant for a midday finish.
What safety equipment is needed on cleaning boats?: Provide one suitable life jacket per person using a boat, plus life rings and throwing materials at the launch point and on the work boats. Also pack first aid kits, safety vests, flashlights, walkie-talkies, and waterproof phone cases.
When should I prepare the cleaning route equipment?: Check the boats, paddles, safety gear, and cleaning supplies at least one day before the route. Charge communication equipment the evening before, and place route maps, waste labels, refreshments, and registration materials where they can be loaded quickly on the day.

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