What to bring for a river cleanup

A river cleanup needs more than litter pickers and bin bags. You will need protective equipment, a clear way to divide collected waste, reliable communication and enough food and water for the volunteer group. This shopping list covers the practical supplies for the work area, registration point and breaks. Check access, disposal arrangements and the forecast before buying, because they determine what you need to carry and protect.

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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 50
Waste binsqty 10

Equipment

Litter pickersqty 30
Cratesqty 12
Coolersqty 4
Megaphonesqty 2
Scalesqty 2

Safety

Safety vestsqty 50
Work glovesqty 60
Safety gogglesqty 30
First aid kitsqty 2
Tick removersqty 4
Rain ponchosqty 50
Sunscreenqty 6

Communication

Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Clipboardsqty 8
Markersqty 20
Route mapsqty 20
Information boardsqty 8

Catering

Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Water jerry cansqty 4
Drink dispensersqty 3
Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Sandwich rolls - 70 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Butter - 3 packs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Vegetarian spreads - 6 tubs
- Vegan margarine - 2 tubs
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 50 pieces
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paper napkins - 6 packs
- Wooden stirrers - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 200 pieces
- Zip bags - 2 boxes

Lighting

Headlampsqty 20
Battery lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 40

Cleaning

Waste sorting binsqty 6
Hand brushesqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Towelsqty 20

Tips

Plan one pair of work gloves and one safety vest per volunteer, plus at least 10% extra for replacements or late arrivals. Add safety goggles where splashing, mud or broken materials are likely.
Use one litter picker per active volunteer where possible. Prepare crates for sorting and collection points, and confirm the disposal method before the cleanup rather than after the waste has been gathered.
Allow about 1 litre of drinking water per person for a half-day cleanup, with extra water in hot weather. Reusable cups, water jerry cans and coolers make distribution easier and reduce single-use waste.
Bring one first aid kit for each main work area, with tick removers available when volunteers work in long grass or wooded riverbanks. Pack rain ponchos and sunscreen according to the forecast, not on the morning of the event.
For an early, late or shaded cleanup, take at least one headlamp or battery lantern for each registration or collection point. Charge walkie-talkies beforehand and keep route maps and printed safety instructions at the briefing point.

Frequently asked questions

How many litter pickers do I need for a river cleanup?: Aim for one litter picker per person actively collecting waste. For 20 volunteers, prepare 20 pickers and keep 2 to 4 spare if possible, especially when equipment is borrowed.
How much water should I bring for a river cleanup?: Plan around 1 litre of drinking water per volunteer for a half-day cleanup. For 20 people, that means at least 20 litres, with extra on hot days or when there is no nearby refill point.
How many safety vests and gloves are needed?: Prepare one safety vest and one pair of work gloves per volunteer, plus roughly 10% spare. A group of 20 therefore needs 22 vests and 22 pairs of gloves if replacements may be difficult to obtain.
When should I buy supplies for a river cleanup?: Buy or reserve reusable equipment at least 1 to 2 weeks before the event. Check borrowed items, food, water, weather protection and first aid supplies again 2 days beforehand so shortages can still be fixed.

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