Support a Pickup China Network: For a clean planet

In December 2025, Pickup China team carried out an integrated research and cleanup initiative along the Lingbai hiking trail in Suzhou to better understand the distribution of outdoor waste and the behavioral factors contributing to littering. By combining on-site cleanup with data collection and behavioral observation, the project aimed to reveal how waste is generated in natural recreational spaces and to inform more effective environmental management strategies.

The Lingbai trail was selected as a representative research site due to its growing popularity, accessibility, and diverse usage patterns. The route features both high-traffic rest areas and long continuous hiking sections, creating multiple scenarios where waste may accumulate. As the trail remains largely natural with limited infrastructure and environmental signage, it provided an opportunity to observe visitor behavior under relatively unregulated conditions and capture an authentic picture of the outdoor waste challenge.

The initiative adopted a mixed-method field research approach that integrated quantitative and qualitative techniques. Volunteers recorded the entire hiking route, documented waste locations, counted and categorized items, and conducted on-site weighing. Fixed-point observations and brief interviews helped contextualize the data by providing insights into visitor habits, disposal practices, and environmental awareness.

A total of 43 volunteers participated in the action. Under unified coordination, they were organized into specialized teams responsible for cleanup and documentation, behavioral observation, waste weighing and composition analysis, and interview support. Prior to the event, participants received training on safety protocols, classification standards, and data collection methods to ensure consistency and reliability across teams.

During the hike, volunteers simultaneously removed litter while marking its location, type, and concentration. Observation teams monitored areas where visitors frequently stopped—such as rest points and scenic viewpoints—to better understand consumption patterns and disposal behaviors. After each stage, collected waste was aggregated, sorted into categories such as recyclables and residual waste, and weighed to produce structured data. Short interviews with hikers further enriched the findings by shedding light on attitudes toward waste management and the availability of environmental facilities.

The project generated both environmental and research outcomes. Volunteers removed a total of 26.55 kilograms of outdoor waste, including 5.42 kilograms of recyclable materials, improving conditions in several heavily used sections of the trail and reducing immediate ecological impacts.

Equally important, the initiative produced a systematic dataset on waste volume, composition, and spatial distribution. Preliminary analysis suggests a correlation between litter accumulation and factors such as visitor stopping behavior, supply points, and trail nodes. These insights provide field-based evidence that can support more targeted interventions for waste reduction on hiking routes and in other nature-based public spaces.

The project also validated a practical model that integrates research with cleanup action. By refining volunteer roles, data collection procedures, and on-site collaboration mechanisms, Pickup China team has developed a replicable framework that can be applied to similar outdoor environments. Beyond the immediate cleanup results, the experience deepened participants’ understanding of environmental challenges and encouraged a shift from one-time action toward long-term stewardship.

Following the event, the team conducted a comprehensive review and preliminary analysis of the collected data to ensure accuracy and completeness. These findings will inform future research conclusions, guide improvements in outdoor waste management, and support the design of more effective public engagement campaigns.

From September to November 2025, Pickup China successfully carried out a three-month Coastal Cleanup Action across Shanghai, with the generous support of the Ant Forest Foundation and the SEE Foundation. This update provides an overview of key progress, achievements, and the impact made through the collective efforts of our volunteers and partners.

Over the course of three months, we organized six cleanup events in two ecologically significant areas:Binjiang Forest Park shoreline, and Chongming Tuanjiesha wetland.

Together, these efforts engaged over 200 volunteer participants, representing families, young people, and community members, all united by a shared commitment to restoring local ecosystems.

Both cleanup sites are highly valued public recreation spaces and critical ecological habitats, yet they face persistent waste pollution.Binjiang Forest Park experiences plastic bottles, food packaging, and cigarette butts lodged deep within stone gaps and vegetation due to tides and wind.Tuanjiesha Wetland suffers from abandoned fishing nets, foam buoys, and fragmented plastic debris, posing serious threats to wildlife and disrupting the natural landscape.

These issues highlight the urgent need for continuous public participation in environmental protection.Volunteers of all ages dedicated their weekends to hands-on cleanup activities, working diligently to remove hidden and hard-to-reach waste along the shoreline and within wetland areas.Each event produced multiple bags of collected waste, providing a powerful visual reminder of the scale of pollution and the importance of community-driven action.

Beyond cleanup, event leaders conducted on-site waste-sorting demonstrations and shared knowledge about waste sources and ecological impacts. Participants gained practical understanding of how daily habits directly influence the environment.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all volunteers, donors, and partners whose support made this series of events possible. The cleanup action is more than an environmental intervention—it is an opportunity for citizens to see the problem, reflect on personal consumption habits, and commit to reducing waste at its source.

Looking ahead, Pickup China will continue these efforts, with the next round of activities scheduled to resume in next March. With your continued support, we aim to expand participation, strengthen public environmental awareness, and contribute to long-term ecological protection across China.