River Cleanup Shopping List

A river cleanup needs more than bags and litter pickers. You will need equipment for different types of waste, safe access along the route, refreshments, and a clear setup at the meeting point. Use this list alongside your route plan and volunteer numbers so you can check quantities before shopping. Arrange waste disposal and any site access permission early, then prepare team packages and chilled drinks close to the cleanup date.

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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
Crowd control barriersqty 8

Equipment

Scaleqty 2
Megaphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Mobile phonesqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 8
Coffee cupsqty 40

Cleaning

Litter pickersqty 35
Work glovesqty 45
Rubber bootsqty 10
Scoopsqty 6
Rakesqty 6
Broom and dustpanqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Handwashing stationsqty 3
Recycling binsqty 6
Waste binsqty 6
Tweezers for small wasteqty 10

Safety

Safety gogglesqty 40
Reflective vestsqty 12
First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 6

Communication

Route mapsqty 12
Information boardsqty 6
Route arrowsqty 20
Waterproof markersqty 12
Clipboardsqty 6

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Batteriesqty 24

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Cola - 3 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Lemonade - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Muesli bars - 50 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Turkey breast - 1 kilo
- Halal chicken breast - 1 kilo
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 2 tubs
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Plastic gloves - 2 boxes
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant gel - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 100 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Duct tape - 4 rolls
- Cable ties - 100 pieces
- Labels - 100 pieces
- Disposable ponchos - 15 pieces

Tips

Plan equipment by team, not just by total headcount. Each team may need litter pickers, work gloves, buckets or waste bins, and a clear way to separate recycling from other waste.
Buy or reserve handwashing stations before the event, especially if the cleanup point has no nearby facilities. Add soap and water checks to the setup plan at least 24 hours beforehand.
Prepare refreshments for the first hour before volunteers arrive. Chill drinks in coolers, and use thermos flasks, kettles, reusable cups, plates, and cutlery if you are serving hot drinks or food.
Check difficult sections of the route before distributing equipment. Rubber boots, scoops, rakes, and brooms are useful for wet edges and loose debris, but only take volunteers into areas covered by your risk assessment.
Pack communication and setup supplies separately from cleanup gear. Keep mobile phones charged, test the megaphone, and check extension cords and power strips before the assembly point is marked out.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a river cleanup?: At minimum, plan work gloves, litter pickers, waste containers, recycling bins, buckets, and handwashing stations. Add rubber boots, scoops, rakes, or a broom and dustpan for wet or uneven sections, based on your route assessment.
How many gloves and litter pickers do I need for a river cleanup?: Plan one pair of work gloves and one litter picker for every active volunteer, plus a small spare supply for replacements. Check sizes and condition at least one day before the cleanup so damaged equipment does not delay the start.
What drinks and serving items should I buy for a river cleanup?: Prepare chilled drinks for the first hour and add hot drinks if the weather or schedule calls for them. Reusable cups, coffee cups, thermos flasks, kettles, plates, cutlery, serving platters, and coolers cover a basic refreshment station.
When should I arrange waste disposal for a river cleanup?: Confirm waste disposal and the required waste streams before shopping, preferably at least one week ahead. Set out recycling bins and waste bins at the assembly point before volunteers return with collected material.

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