Barcelona’s Community Clean-ups: A Year of Citizen Commitment and Environmental Action
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain – Throughout 2025, community clean-up initiatives across Barcelona have underscored the strength of citizen commitment to environmental care and public spaces. Hundreds of volunteers actively participated in collaborative cleaning days, leading to the collection of hundreds of kilograms of waste from urban and natural environments across the city.
A total of over 860 kg of waste was collected in 2025, thanks to the participation of nearly 900 volunteers. This figure highlights the tangible impact of shared civic responsibility in improving the local environment.
Key Clean-up Actions Across the City
Actions on Montjuïc mountain played a significant role throughout 2025. On April 6, the Sants-Montjuïc Environmental Classroom and Cuidem Montjuïc, supported by cleaning staff, led the first collaborative clean-up of the year on the mountain. In just one hour, 135 kg of waste, primarily cans, plastics, and cigarette butts, were collected. This included 16 kg of packaging, 4 kg of paper and cardboard, 14 kg of glass, 83 kg of general waste, and 18 kg of other materials such as batteries, clothes, and scrap metal.
A few days later, on May 31, Muntanya Pelada hosted another clean-up day with 46 participants, including residents and organization members. This effort resulted in the collection of 84.66 kg of waste, notably bulky items like pallets, metal pipes, and an exhaust pipe. Two syringes were also found and removed following strict safety protocols. This initiative was part of the Pla Endreça, which promotes civic values and shared responsibility.
June Highlights: Inclusion and Education
The first half of June was particularly noteworthy. On June 6, a collaborative clean-up was held in the Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer gardens with the participation of the ASPACE Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with cerebral palsy and related disabilities. The day brought together 57 participants, including individuals with motor, sensory, and cognitive disabilities, and resulted in the collection of 7.58 kg of waste, simultaneously promoting social inclusion and environmental care.
On June 12, children took center stage. A total of 500 children from the IPSI school participated in an educational and playful activity that culminated in the collection of over 105 kg of waste, including packaging, general waste, organic material, and even a vehicle part. This activity provided a practical reflection on the impact of waste and the importance of caring for common spaces from an early age.
Beach Clean-up and Broader Campaigns
On June 15, the collaborative clean-up moved to Somorrostro beach, where 130 volunteers from 10 different entities collected 93.5 kg of waste, including 32.95 kg of packaging and plastics, and as many as 5,249 cigarette butts. This action, framed within the Barcelona City Council’s Pla Endreça and the “Let’s Clean Up Europe” campaign, combined waste collection with awareness-raising activities on civility, waste management, and responsible consumption, highlighting the impact of small waste items on marine ecosystems.
This series of actions demonstrates that environmental care is a shared responsibility and that citizen involvement is crucial for advancing towards a cleaner, more inclusive, and sustainable city. Thanks to the joint efforts of volunteers, organizations, and municipal services, Barcelona continues to consolidate a city model committed to its environment and collective well-being.
