Monaco’s first World CleanUp Day was a great success, with 150 people taking part, including HSH Prince Albert II, in five targeted clean-up areas throughout the Principality.

Those who turned out for the 8am start were given the choice of taking on one of five organised events, choosing land or sea-based options. There was something for all, including a hike from the Tête de Chien and a 7km walk/run along Plage Mala from Decathlon. 

Due to a heavy swell, the Stand Up Paddle CleanUp and Suncy CleanUp activities were canceled but were replaced by a Beach Cleanup on the Larvotto beach which gathered about fifteen participants.

Prince Albert II joined in for the Stars ‘N’ Bars-organised walk, where he contributed by picking up waste found along the route to Larvotto, which marked the end of the course.

The goal of the event was, of course, to collect as much rubbish as possible whilst enjoying a morning in the great outdoors. In total, nearly a tonne of waste was collected in the Principality including countless cigarette butts, a large quantity of plastic and glass bottles, cardboard packaging, wire mesh and even wooden pallets and chairs.

At 11:45am, all the participants gathered on the beach to weigh what had been collected, then celebrated by having a group aperitif offered by the Mairie.

The Monaco event mirrored action that was taking place across the globe simultaneously on Saturday. World Clean-up Day was created a decade ago as a social-action programme in the battle against litter. It is now celebrated in 158 countries on the third Saturday of September and has 18 million people partaking. France boasts 200,000 active participants.

Monaco’s contribution, in its first ever attempt, saw a fantastic turnout and a solid base to build on for next year’s event.