Unfortunately, many people leave their rubbish behind when in nature - in the forests, on the mountain, and on the lakeshore. Volunteers regularly set out to pick up the plastic bottles, packaging and junk, setting a valuable example of sustainability and preservation of our natural treasures.
The CleanUP Days see guests and locals work hand in hand to help keep the vision of an intact, healthy nature alive. They clean alpine regions from paper, packaging materials, bottles and other rubbish. Those joining the initiative don't only set a best practice example, but can also look forward to a collective outdoor experience of a very special kind.
Behind the initiative stands Patron Plasticfree Peaks (website in German only) - a community of committed people from different backgrounds. Their focus is to promote a healthy relationship with nature, to handle resources in a sustainable way, and to create awareness for environmental issues. Patron stands for consciously enjoying untouched landscapes, avoiding single-use plastic, sustainable manufacturing and against unnecessary packaging. #plasticfreepeaks
The journey continues! Collecting rubbish is a start to help preserve and protect our natural environment.
Tirol has more than five hundred 3,000-meter peaks and over 24,000 kilometres of marked mountain and hiking trails - a truly majestic alpine world. But the numerous nature-loving adventurers come with challenges for the region.
The top priority is to preserve the diversity and beauty of this special natural area for future generations of both locals and guests. That is why Tirol has joined the CleanUP Days and called for cleaning up its natural treasures. In cooperation with PATRON, the Austrian Tourist Board, the participating Tirolean regions and hundreds of volunteers, rubbish was collected on the mountains, in the forests, on lakeshores and in the communities in July 2022.
The next Tirol CleanUP days will be held from 18 - 21 May 2023.
A plastic bottle takes up to 450 years to decompose - but only into microplastics. These particles are smaller but never decompose completely.
It takes 10 to 15 years for a cigarette to completely dissolve. What's more, when it gets in touch with water, the poison is washed out and ends up in the groundwater.
Depending on thickness and production, it takes 6 weeks to 3 years for paper to decompose. However, if it is coated, which is usually the case, it takes significantly longer.
Although made of cellulose, tissues are made tear-resistant and thus durable. They take 5 years to decompose.
Litter takes different amounts of time to decompose, depending on the material and the environment in which it ends up. Plastic is a particular problem. A plastic bottle takes up to 450 years before we can no longer see it.
The Styrian region of Gesäuse National Park is an untamed beautiful landscape with wild water, impressive gorges and steep cliffs. The special location allowed a great diversity of species to develop in untouched nature.
None-the-less, or precisely because of this, the motto here was also: Let's get our hands dirty and clean up together! As many people as possible were invited to give something back to nature. That way, the region made an important contribution to raising awareness for nature and the impact of visitors. Guests and locals alike set out in self-organized small groups to clean up in the mountains and along the Enns and Salza rivers.
From the longest gorge and the oldest national park to the largest bathing lake: where Austria's nature boasts superlatives. #feelAustria
Spending time in the forest has a soothing, refreshing effect on our bodies and minds. But how does it work, exactly?
Being active outdoors makes us calmer, healthier, and happier. Find out what science has to say about outdoor exercise and its effects on our physical and mental health.
The pasture, a unique place to relax in the alpine region. A dairymaid, an ecomedicine specialist, and a hiker tell us what’s so special about the alpine pasture.
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