CleanAlp | FAQ

But is there plastic pollution in the mountains?

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Davplastic pollution is normally associated with the sea and urban areas, very little has been investigated in mountainous areas: these are generally thought to be exempt. Wrong. In recent years, some research has begun to document the presence of microplastics in glaciers, a couple-one in the French Pyrenees and one in the Alps, in which we had also participated in 2019-in mountain snow, but always over restricted areas. So we thought it was time to move to systemic action also for the Alps, which are already hard hit by climate change. So we initiated the 'Stop the Alps becoming plastic mountains' project in 2021, which produced the first research ever done on microplastics in snow over a large area and throughout the entire winter season. So in 2022 we wanted to propose a new project that, in addition to action on different levels such as awareness, education, training and prevention, acted on the research by documenting the type and brands of objects (where recognizable) dispersed in the alpine environment. With CleanAlp2 we deepen and greatly expand this work: we act on Liguria, Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta, with the aim of then extending the activity to all the Alps and other Italian mountains, acting on situational awareness, education of the young and very young, professional and stakeholder training, prevention activities with the strengthening and promotion of the local economy as an element (also) of protection of the alpine environment.

What can I do to address the problem?

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Lots of things! When we are on a hike, we need to reduce the number of items we take with us to what is necessary: the fewer they are, the more we reduce the risk of scattering them. Choose to carry food and drinks purchased in bulk (in water bottles or reusable containers). Always store 'empties' in closed containers or pockets, not hanging lazily from the backpack or stuffed into open pockets. If we hang shoes, sandals, hats, gloves, tools, etc., from the backpack, make sure we have them tied securely (e.g., with a carabiner) to avoid losing them during the hike. We always check the equipment, so that each part (poles, boots, backpack) is definitely secure and not wobbling (buckles, caps and toes, etc...).

What kinds of activities do volunteers do during excursions?

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CleanALP volunteers mainly participate in cleanup excursions during which they collect litter, especially plastic, along alpine trails. In addition, volunteers help monitor local biodiversity and help raise awareness about the importance of preserving the alpine ecosystem. Each hike is led by experts who provide instruction and support.

How can I become a CleanAlp volunteer?

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Becoming a volunteer for CleanALP is easy! You can find our contact information directly on our website in the "Get in on the Action" section so you can write to us and join the volunteer team. After you sign up, you will receive information about upcoming hikes and cleanup activities. Whether you have experience or not, we are happy to welcome anyone who wants to help protect our mountains.

Can I throw away food scraps when they are in the wild?

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No, never. Peels (e.g., banana peels) are biologically totally foreign to the high-altitude environment, are potentially perfect media for pathogens that can severely impact such a delicate environment, and also take a very, very, very long time to decompose (thus multiplying the risk of ecological impact). It only takes a little: let's put everything in a bag and take it home (not to the parking lot) so we will also help the valley community to better manage its waste.

Can I throw paper tissues into the environment? Isn't it true that they decompose quickly?

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No. Let's bring a bag to store used tissues(worse still, wet wipes, which are made of plastic).Leaving them in the environment means abandoning an object that by definition (whatever its use) contains bacteria, totally unrelated to that type of environment.The object, moreover, is treated to resist when we blow our noses, and so their decomposition in an environment such as high altitude isparticularly long and complex.

Isn't the garbage problem caused by the ill-mannered and uncivilized, people who hardly frequent the mountains?

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No. From a scientific point of view, it is believed, based on data collected over the past 15-20 years, that improper behavior accounts for no more than 20 percent of the total plastic pollution on the Planet. In the mountains we can consider this percentage higher, due to the dynamics and the type of frequentation of this environment, but still largely a minority of the total. Unawareness, unintentionality, inattention affect to a far greater extent. When you come with us on the excursion, we can explore this issue as well and observe live, hands-on experience of this reality.

Is special equipment required to participate in CleanAlp hikes?

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No special equipment is necessary. However, we recommend that you wear comfortable clothing suitable for hiking, hiking shoes, and bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and, if possible, gloves for waste collection. CleanALP will provide all necessary materials such as waste bags and tongs. If you have any doubts, please see the suggested list of equipment we will send you after registration.

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