The Gran Canaria Clean-Up is an eco-action by The Route 66 Foundation a growing movement of people who refuse to look away and choose to act.
Together we stand for a cleaner, wilder and more conscious island. Since 2024, we’ve been rolling up our sleeves to restore the land, from the mountains and barrancos to the beaches and dunes. Locals, travellers and volunteers from across Europe join forces to protect what truly matters: our nature, our climate, our future. And this is just the beginning.
From 2026 onwards, we’ll step it up with a structured programme of two clean-ups every week, led by young Europeans who help clear, document and transform waste into awareness. Every clean-up is a statement, a call to care, to reconnect, and to take responsibility for the footprints we leave behind.
The Gran Canaria Clean-Up is part of The Route 66 Foundation’s “People & Nature” pillar, and an essential component of our eco-resilience and awareness programme for European young adults.
Our mission is to create a cleaner, plastic-free island and to inspire lasting responsibility for our planet starting here in Gran Canaria.
Since 2024 we have been organising clean-ups that bring together local residents, travellers and volunteers from across Europe.
From 2026 onwards, this will evolve into a structured programme with two clean-ups per week, led by international youth teams who help restore coastal and mountain ecosystems while learning about sustainability, circularity and biodiversity.
Through these actions we empower a new generation of environmental leaders; young people who learn by doing, reconnect with nature, and carry this awareness into their daily lives.
We collaborate with partners such as Oceans4Life, Stichting ZieMens, Everlast Consultancy, Petty Foundation, Gran Canaria Holistic Centre, Europian Solidair Corps, Erasmus +, the European New Bauhaus, local governments and other European organisations.
Together we protect the island’s natural beauty and foster a culture of shared responsibility for a healthy, resilient planet.
The Gran Canaria Clean-Up Initiative goes beyond removing waste, it’s about awakening awareness and inspiring a shift toward more sustainable ways of living.Every piece of litter we collect protects our planet, restores the natural environment, and reminds us how deeply everything is connected.
We invite individuals, communities, schools and organisations to join this collective movement.Through clean-ups, creative recycling, and eco-education, we encourage the next generation to care for the Earth and to act with responsibility and respect.Together we can turn awareness into action, building a culture of sustainability and hope for the generations to come.
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time.Every year, millions of tons of waste end up in the ocean, harming wildlife and disrupting fragile ecosystems.
By joining the Gran Canaria Clean-Up, you take part in real, hands-on change. Together we remove waste from the barrancos, beaches and mountain trails, give materials a second life through upcycling, and strengthen awareness about how our daily choices impact the Earth. Each action, big or small, helps restore the balance between people and nature.
Our clean-up actions begin in the heart of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, one of the most beautiful and diverse regions of Gran Canaria.
From here, we move across the island, step by step, valley by valley, restoring nature where it’s most needed.
We focus on the mountain areas and coastlines, starting with:
Each location tells its own story, about what we leave behind, and what we can restore when we work together.
Our goal is to make San Bartolomé de Tirajana a model for clean, resilient and nature-conscious living, inspiring other parts of the island to follow.
Everyone is welcome!
Whether you live here, study, volunteer, or are simply visiting the island, you are invited to join the Gran Canaria Clean-Up and help create a cleaner, more sustainable Gran Canaria. Since 2024 we have been organising clean-ups across the island, bringing people together to protect and care for nature.
From 2026 onwards, these actions will form a regular programme with two clean-ups per week, led by European young adults within The Route 66 Foundation’s eco-resilience projects. All materials are provided, just bring your energy, curiosity, and care for the planet.
Our next clean-up actions are already planned
A collaborative clean-up with Oceans4Life and local schools, connecting education, awareness, and hands-on action for a cleaner island.
From February 2026 onwards, clean-ups will take place twice a week across San Bartolomé de Tirajana, from the mountains to the sea, as part of The Route 66 Foundation’s Eco-Resilience programme.
All materials for the clean-up are provided:
On this website, you can find the current locations across the island where you can join, including the Barranco of Fataga and other areas.
By joining the Gran Canaria Clean-Up, you:
Together we’re creating a lasting impact, for the island, for nature, and for future generations.
The Gran Canaria Clean-Up initiative, led by The Route 66 Foundation, is driven by collaboration and the generous support of our partners and donors. While we actively work with organizations like Oceans4Life and the Ayuntamiento de la Villa San Bartolomé de Tirajana to tackle plastic pollution across Gran Canaria, the vital financial support from donors enables us to scale our efforts and create a lasting impact.
Our key supporters, ZieMens Foundation and the Petty Foundation, plays a role as a donors. Their generous contributions help make our clean-up efforts possible, allowing us to not only clean the Barranco de Fataga and the surrounding areas but also to engage in impactful upcycling projects, weekly clean-ups, and educational programs for local communities and young adults.
Thanks to the commitment of our donors, we are able to focus on:
Our donors are an essential part of our mission, and we’re incredibly grateful for their support. Without their contributions, we wouldn’t be able to achieve the far-reaching goals we’ve set for making Gran Canaria a cleaner and more sustainable island.
Your donations help us:
By joining our network of donors, you’ll become part of an inspiring international effort to protect our planet, create eco-conscious communities, and reduce waste for future generations.
Get in touch with us to learn more about how you can contribute to this important work and leave a lasting impact on Gran Canaria’s environment.
ZieMens focuses on mental resilience, nature, and planetary health, supporting young adults and sustainability efforts at this event.
Our project is part of World CleanUp Day, a global initiative uniting millions to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
Supports our project by granting permits and managing waste disposal, playing a key role as our partner in promoting environmental sustainability.
Oceans4Life educates communities and protects marine environments through clean-ups, awareness campaigns, and sustainability initiatives.
The Petty Foundation promotes sustainability and awareness through upcycling and community-driven environmental art projects globally.
The Gran Canaria Clean-Up takes place all year round and connects local action with eco-education and community involvement. Our clean-ups are open to everyone: residents, schools and volunteers from across Europe.
From February 2026 onwards, we move into a regular rhythm with two clean-ups per week, guided by European volunteers within The Route 66 Foundation’s Eco-Resilience Lab.
Every Wednesdaywe organise a public clean-up activity on Gran Canaria, focused on:
nature restoration
awareness
community connection
Locations vary between barrancos, beaches and public natural areas.
For requested clean-ups, collaborations or future bookings, please fill in the contact form on our website or send a WhatsApp message to: +34 603 772 146
Plastic pollution is a global crisis, with millions of tons of plastic entering our oceans each year. This pollution harms ecosystems, wildlife, and contributes to climate change. By cleaning up waste, we help restore balance to nature and protect our environment.
Sign up via the QR code or registration link. Schools, hotels, and businesses are especially encouraged to join as part of their sustainability efforts. Whether you can help for one day or both, your contribution matters.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles formed when larger plastics degrade. These particles are often ingested by marine animals, disrupting ecosystems and entering the human food chain. Their widespread presence in the ocean is a growing environmental and health concern.
Currently, over 150 million tons of plastic are in the ocean, and each year, 8 million tons more are added. This waste breaks down into microplastics, which are harmful to marine life and ecosystems, ultimately affecting human health and food chains.
This event isn’t just about removing waste—it’s about building a sustainable future. By taking action, you’re helping to protect our environment and showing that change starts with us. The event fosters collaboration between local and international participants, making it a true community effort.
By coming together to clean up plastic waste, we actively reduce pollution and raise awareness. This event empowers communities to take responsibility for the environment, promoting sustainable practices and ensuring cleaner oceans and ecosystems for future generations.
The Route 66 Foundation is a Dutch ANBI-registered non-profit organization based in Diepenveen (The Netherlands) and Arteara (Gran Canaria).Through our main platform r66gc.com, we connect young people, volunteers, and partners within one shared mission: ecological restoration, awareness, and collaboration: from EGO to ECO.
Our sister websites:
All organizational details, policy documents, and official registrations can be found centrally on r66gc.com.
Contact us for a experience at the Gran Canaria Clean-upcling event!
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The Delegation in the Canary Islands of the Foundation Route 66, located in San Bartolomé de Tirajana with VAT number G44689545, registered in the Register of Canary Foundations, no. 399 I Bank Account IBAN: ES03 0049 5872 9528 1662 9308 I BIC/SWIFT code: BSCH ES XXX
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