The idea of the Tirol CleanUP Days is quickly explained: in the participating Tyrolean regions, numerous nature enthusiasts set off in small groups to collect garbage together on mountains, in forests, on lakeshores, in communities, etc. - wherever garbage has been left behind. Those who take part on these days can expect not only the wonderful feeling of having set an example for nature, but also a special kind of communal outdoor experience.

At the first edition last year, over 1,000 kilometers of trail were cleaned up by around 500 participants in around 100 teams. The partners are all the more pleased that this year's event is going into a new round: "For us, sustainability means future viability. That's why initiatives like the CleanUP Days are particularly worth supporting. We want to work together to raise awareness of the fragility of Austria's natural environment and show that we can achieve a lot together. This is the only way to ensure the future viability of Austrian tourism," says Katrin Erben, sustainability expert at the Austrian National Tourist Office.

A total of ten regions are inviting guests and locals to lend a hand this year. The clean-up will take place in PillerseeTal, in the St. Johann region, around Innsbruck, at Lake Achensee, in the Zugspitz Arena and in the Imst, Tirol West and Wilder Kaiser regions. In addition, Area 47 in Ötztal and the Hotel Schwarzer Adler in Tannheimer Tal are also taking part in the campaign, so that those interested can also set off there. But if the organizers have their way, this is still just the beginning. Further clean-up campaigns are being planned for the coming years in Tyrol, as well as in other federal states, in order to get closer to the vision of a plastic-free Alpine region step by step.

Registration and coordination of the routes takes place via the CleanUP Map (interactive map) at plasticfreepeaks.com/tirol. Participants can set the date and route of their chosen tour directly here. The required CleanUP kit for all interested parties, consisting of a recyclable and reusable fabric bag and stainless steel tongs, can be collected free of charge from one of the numerous distribution points before setting off. These, as well as the drop-off points for the collected waste, can also be found on the CleanUP Map. At the end of the event, every litter picker has the chance to win valuable prizes from the competition. The prizes include a weekend of enjoyment on an alpine pasture, a balloon ride or an exclusive day tour with a mountain guide.

The event is financed with the help of donations and a grant from the TNF Explore Fund and the Albrecht Von Dewitz Foundation. In addition, the tourism associations of the participating regions and a supra-regional sponsor network support the event. Nele Schmidt from EVOC Sports GmbH says: "The CleanUp Days are fantastic events where everyone can take concrete action and set a good example."

Information and registration at: plasticfreepeaks.com/tirol

Distribution points for CleanUP kits:

• Marienbergbahnen Biberwier: Marienbergweg 16, 6633 Biberwier, Österreich 
• Ehrwalder Almbahn: Dr.-Ludwig-Ganghofer-Straße 66, 6632 Ehrwald, Österreich
• Tiroler Zugspitz Arena - Tourismusbüro Ehrwald (9-12 Uhr): Kirchpl. 1, 6632 Ehrwald, Österreich
• Grubigsteinbahnen Lermoos: Juch 3, 6631 Lermoos, Österreich
• Almkopfbahn: Almkopfbahn 149, 6621 Bichlbach, Österreich
• s'Wirtshaisl am Heiterwanger See (12-18h): Fischer a. See, 6611 Heiterwang, Österreich