The Gran Canaria Clean-Up is an initiative by The Route 66 Foundation, developed within the EcoResilience Lab, where international volunteers and local residents come together to restore and protect the island’s natural environment.
Through hands-on action and nature-based learning, we guide a shift from ego to eco; reconnecting people with nature, responsibility and their role in the bigger whole.
We invest in the next generation as drivers of sustainable change, while working closely with local communities to create lasting impact.|
Rooted in regeneration and circular economy principles, our Waste to Wisdomapproach transforms collected waste into awareness, value and visible change.
We act for a cleaner environment, a stronger community and a more conscious future.
On April 22, World Earth Day, we take action.
Join the Waste to Wisdom Global Clean Up Action in Gran Canaria and be part of a collective movement for awareness, regeneration and real impact.
Step in, contribute and help turn waste into change.
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. We can turn awareness into action and 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 began in the heart of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, one of the most diverse and valuable natural regions of Gran Canaria.
From this starting point, we are now expanding across the island, step by step, valley by valley, restoring natural areas where care and attention are most needed.
Our work began in the Barranco de Fataga, where we have consistently kept the riverbed clean and free from waste. During the heavy rainfall in March 2026, this effort proved its value, as the dry barranco transformed into a flowing river without being blocked by pollution.
Today, we operate across multiple locations, focusing on both mountain landscapes and coastal areas, places where human impact is visible, but where restoration is still possible.
Each location reflects both the impact of human activity and the potential for recovery when people take responsibility together.
Our ambition is to contribute to a clean, resilient and nature-conscious San Bartolomé de Tirajana, as a living example that can inspire wider change across Gran Canaria and beyond.
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.
All materials are provided; just bring your energy, curiosity, and care for the planet.
NEXT CLEAN-UP ACTION:
Sunday, 12th April l 10:30 until 12
Playa de Balito
A collaborative clean-up with Oceans4Life and local schools, connecting education, awareness, and hands-on action for a cleaner island.
Where: Check our Instagram
or send a WhatsApp to +34 603 772 146 and join the team
Fataga - Maspalomas - Meloneras - Gran Canaria
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 is part of The Route 66 Foundation’s People & Naturepillar 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-up actions that bring together local residents, travellers and volunteers from across Europe.
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, World Earth Day, Gran Canaria Holistic Centre, the European Solidarity 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 and resilient planet.
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.
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Our project is part of Earth Day, a global moment focused on awareness, regeneration and long-term change for our planet.
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.
ZieMens focuses on mental resilience, nature, and planetary health, supporting young adults and sustainability efforts at this event.
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.
Every Wednesday we 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
Foundation Route 66 is a Public benefit organization (ANBI), registered with the Chamber of Commerce
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