FAQ

YES. We request that all individuals sign up at least 1 week before your chosen cleanup date which must be received before your event. Registration closes 48 hours in advance of each weekly free community cleanup.

To officially enter the Cleanup Challenge you need to carry out your event between January 1st and December 1st. Cleanups, both regular and managed, can also take place outside the Challenge season – email [email protected] for details.

The most suitable time of day (morning vs afternoon) for your cleanup will vary depending on the location and date of your cleanup, however we do recommend the following:

Coastal Cleanup
Groups should check the Hong Kong Government tide charts so that you can conduct your cleanup when the tide is low and the beach most exposed.

Country Cleanup
Groups should leave enough time to complete the cleanup and exit the park well before sunset.

City Cleanup
Groups should consider doing a cleanup very early in the morning, as this is when the streets really reveal the amount of litter that we subject them to. By mid morning, our dedicated city workers have often swept much of it away, either into receptacles or down storm drains and out to sea.

Also, bear in mind that the sun is strongest around midday, so be prepared with extra water and sun protection if you choose a midday event.

Visit our Events Materials page for a downloadable checklist of cleanup necessities and handy things to bring along.

1. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are a must for cleanups; slippers or sandals are not recommended, as surfaces may be slippery or uneven. For coastal cleanups sturdy waterproof footwear can be useful in some places.
2. A hat or cap and sunblock lotion (> SPF 15) to protect from the sun, or other weather-appropriate apparel and precautions.
3. Citronella oil or insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes and sandflies.
4. At least one REUSABLE water bottle, filled, for your consumption. It’s important not to add to the single-use plastic waste problem during your cleanup activity!.

It is very important to check the tides for the day of your event if you’re planning a coastal cleanup. The best time to organise a cleanup is at low tide when more of the beach is exposed; this is especially important for smaller beaches that can be inundated with water during high tide or those where access is limited during high tide.
Prior to planning your cleanup event, you should check the tides at your chosen site using the Hong Kong Government’s Predicted Tides website (chose the site closest to where you’re planning your cleanup).

You are free to decide this for yourself based on the nature of your event and participants involved. However, in our experience the average time for coastal cleanups is typically between 1.5 and 2 hours while country and city cleanups vary depending on the length and challenge level of the route you select.
You may wish to plan a longer cleanup but, particularly in warmer weather, it is important to gauge your participant’s comfort and welfare and adjust your time accordingly if needed. When selecting a country cleanup trail, we suggest that you choose one that suits all members of your group, allowing enough time for the slowest participant to complete the walk.

YES. While we appreciate all cleanup efforts, the data is a vital, long-lasting result of cleaning a beach, hiking trail or city streets that will inevitably (unfortunately) get dirty again. The data collected by our volunteers is compiled and analyzed so we can better understand the challenge, both locally and globally, and create awareness, action, and industry recommendations to help solve the issue.

While we make efforts to provide up to date information on the beaches and trails in our list of cleanup locations, we may not have all the information you need.
We very highly recommend doing a site visit to your chosen beach or walking your chosen trail before your cleanup day so you can be clear on its accessibility and what facilities are available.
We’re also crowdsourcing beach, trail and street details; if you discover important details at your chosen location (or any location) that is not included in our maps, feel free to email us at [email protected] with your photos and descriptions!

Nothing. Please leave them on the beach or hiking trail – they aren’t trash!

Please contact the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department at 1823.

After your cleanup, once you have submitted your data, you can download a certificates of participation from our Events Materials page.

YES. We do not want to put our cleanup volunteers in danger or discomfort! You may use your own discretion; we have posted our guidelines below. If you have a last-minute cancellation, we appreciate being notified at [email protected]. Please note that while we will do our best to accommodate rescheduled cleanups, since sites are allocated first-come, first-served, you may not be able to have your first choice of site upon rescheduling.
Coastal Cleanup Challenge Weather Advice
Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above – Cancel
Black Rainstorm Warning – Cancel
Red Rainstorm Warning – Cancel
Amber Rainstorm Warning – Cancel
Typhoon Signal No. 3 – Cancel
Typhoon Signal No. 1 – Cancel
Landslide Warning – Cancel
Thunderstorm Warning – Cancel