What you need for a riverbank restoration action

A riverbank restoration action needs more than gardening tools. You’ll need equipment for shoreline work, clear safety boundaries near the water, a way to collect waste, and basic arrangements for volunteers. This shopping list covers the practical items to buy, bring or reserve before the workday. Check quantities against the number of volunteers and the length of the riverbank, and arrange waste collection before anything is removed from the site.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 12
Registration desk

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 2
Cordless drill driversqty 2
Scale

Tools

Work glovesqty 35
Litter pickersqty 15
Scoopsqty 8
Rakesqty 8
Pruning shearsqty 6
Wheelbarrowsqty 4
Bucketsqty 10
Hand trucksqty 2
Ropeqty 2
Measuring tapesqty 3

Safety

Safety gogglesqty 35
Safety bootsqty 6
First aid kitsqty 2
Life ringsqty 2
Warning signsqty 6
Bollardsqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 4
Reflective vestsqty 8

Waste

Waste binsqty 6
Rubble bagsqty 20
Trash grabber binsqty 6
Palletsqty 4

Care

Sunscreenqty 4
Insect repellentqty 3
Handwashing station
Towelsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 50
Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable cutleryqty 40

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Soup potsqty 3
Serving spoonsqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving traysqty 4
Ice packsqty 12

Cleaning

Washing-up tubsqty 3
Dish brushesqty 4
Spongesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemon - 6 pieces
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Breads - 12 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 6 pieces
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 2 kilogram
- Vegan toppings - 1 kilogram
- Halal cold cuts - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Onions - 1 kilogram
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Lentil soup - 6 liters
- Whole wheat croutons - 4 bags
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Jam - 3 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 40 pieces
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Vegan cookies - 3 packs
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Napkins - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Nitrile gloves - 3 boxes
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs

Tips

Provide one pair of work gloves per volunteer, plus spare pairs for late arrivals or damaged gloves. Add safety goggles and safety boots for anyone working with soil, branches or debris.
Set up the water-side safety area before volunteers arrive. Use warning signs, bollards, barrier tape and reflective vests, and position life rings where they are visible and reachable.
Match tools to the work teams rather than handing everything out at once. Rakes, pruning shears, scoops, litter pickers, buckets and wheelbarrows should be checked and grouped before registration opens.
Plan waste handling before the first bag is filled. Use waste bins, rubble bags, trash grabber bins and pallets, and confirm who will collect the waste and when it will be removed.
For a morning action, prepare coffee, tea and water before participants arrive. Use coolers for chilled drinks, and check extension cords if catering or registration equipment needs power near the tables.

Frequently asked questions

What tools do I need for a riverbank restoration action?: For shoreline clearing and planting, prepare rakes, pruning shears, scoops, litter pickers, buckets, wheelbarrows and hand trucks. Add cordless drill drivers, measuring tapes and rope if the work plan includes fixing, marking or measuring areas.
How much safety equipment do volunteers need?: Plan one pair of work gloves and one reflective vest per volunteer, with at least 10% extra for replacements and late arrivals. Keep safety goggles, safety boots, first aid kits, warning signs, bollards, barrier tape and life rings available before work begins.
What should I bring to collect riverbank waste?: Use waste bins, rubble bags, trash grabber bins and pallets to separate and move collected material. Arrange the waste collection at least 1–2 days before the action so full bags and bulky debris do not remain on the riverbank.
When should I prepare the shopping and equipment?: Check tools, safety equipment and catering supplies at least 2–3 days before the event. Label materials and lay out the equipment on the day before, then do a final weather, route and volunteer check on the morning of the action.

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