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 Wisdom approach transforms collected waste into awareness, value and visible change.
We act for a cleaner environment, a stronger community and a more conscious future.
This global action started eight years ago in The Netherlands and has grown into the world's largest cigarette filter clean up. The Route 66 Foundation is proud to support this movement in Gran Canaria together with NO Plastic Filter, The Cigarette Butt Girl, the Petty Foundation, Maria Koijck, Oceans4life and local and international partners.
📍 Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
🕤 Start: 09:30
The exact meeting location will be shared on Instagram and in our WhatsApp group.
To register, send us a WhatsApp message +34 603 772 146, an email to info@grancanaria-cleanup.com, or contact us via Instagram.
Join us in Gran Canaria as we take action against cigarette butt pollution and raise awareness about the impact of microplastics on our environment.
Together with local and international partners, we will clean, educate, create and inspire change. Step in, take action and help turn cigarette waste into awareness, responsibility and positive impact.
Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world. Every year, billions end up on streets, beaches, parks and waterways. Many people do not realise that cigarette filters contain plastic and are a significant source of microplastic pollution.
As filters break down, they release tiny plastic particles and harmful chemicals into the environment. These microplastics can spread through soil, rivers and oceans, affecting wildlife and ecosystems.
That is why we focus on cigarette butt pollution through clean ups, awareness campaigns, education and creative upcycling projects. By making this hidden problem visible, we encourage positive action and greater responsibility for our shared environment.
Every cigarette butt removed from nature makes a difference.
The problem does not end when a cigarette is extinguished. Plastic filters remain in the environment long after they are discarded. Over time, they break down into smaller and smaller particles, contributing to the growing challenge of microplastic pollution.
By making this often overlooked issue visible, we encourage greater awareness, responsibility and action. Together with volunteers, schools, organisations and local communities, we work towards cleaner public spaces and a healthier environment for future generations.
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.
Join us on Gran Canaria for a large scale World Cleanup Day action!
Together with European volunteers from the European Solidarity Corps, our Gran Canaria Cleanup Group, the Petty Foundation, Oceans4Life and the Municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, we will work side by side to create a cleaner and healthier environment.
Everyone is welcome to participate. Together we can make a real difference for our island, our communities and our planet. More information about locations and meeting points will be shared soon.
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.
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 for the clean-up are provided:
On our Instagram, you can find all participating locations across Gran Canaria where you can join the action, including the Barranco de Fataga and many other areas around the island.
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.
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 beach 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.
Rebuscando is a local environmental initiative working towards a cleaner and more sustainable Gran Canaria. Through clean ups, community actions and awareness campaigns, they encourage people to care for their environment and take positive action.
Everlast Consulting supports organisations, young people and communities in translating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into practical actions, learning opportunities and positive social and environmental impact.
No More Plastic Butts is an international movement raising awareness about cigarette filter pollution and its impact on the environment. Through global actions and clean ups, the movement works towards a future with less plastic pollution.
GC Surf Mapis more than a surf platform. They connect people, organisations and local initiatives across Gran Canaria through clean-ups, environmental campaigns and community events, bringing volunteers, businesses and organisations together to create positive change for the island and its natural environment.
Through the European Solidarity Corps, young people from across Europe join our environmental and community projects on Gran Canaria. Together with local partners, volunteers contribute to clean-ups, awareness campaigns, sustainability initiatives and positive social impact while gaining valuable skills and experiences.
No Butts Day is a global awareness initiative that highlights the environmental impact of cigarette butt pollution. The campaign encourages individuals, communities and organisations to take action by, supporting clean-ups and raising awareness about the harmful effects of cigarette butts and microplastics on our environment.
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 about cigarette butt pollution and microplastics
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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