Photo: Bianca Killmann
Actively working for Essen's green oases – every contribution counts
From February 28th to March 15th, 2026, it's once again time in Essen to grab your litter picker and put on your gloves – the 21st annual cleanup campaign. SauberZauber starts! Especially around the Baldeneysee, In one of the city's most popular recreational areas, volunteers are once again diligently collecting and cleaning up litter – whether carelessly discarded or washed ashore. The initiative invites all citizens to get involved and work together to ensure healthy flora and fauna and create a clean, livable environment.
Baldeneysee in focus
Lake Essen (Baldeneysee) is not only a hotspot for walkers and athletes – it's also a symbol of the green heart of Essen and the Ruhr region. However, heavily frequented areas such as the shores and lakeside paths, picnic areas, benches, parking bays, and viewpoints suffer from carelessly discarded trash. Therefore, the organizers of Lake Essen (SauberZauber) are specifically calling for increased community involvement around the lake this year. Whether at the regatta tower below the Villa Hügel, on Seaside Beach Baldeney, Whether it's the Haus Scheppen or the popular Baldeneysee route – every helping hand is needed.
Clubs and groups active at the lake
Numerous groups from the fields of water sports, nature and environmental protection, as well as local initiatives, have already registered for the Baldeneysee. Rowing clubs, Sailing clubs Scout groups are planning – some for years now – their own clean-up campaigns along their club grounds and adjacent riverbanks. Schools from Werden and Heisingen also want to get involved with their classes and thus send a message about environmental awareness.
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More informationVideo: Volunteer Agency Essen eV.
Materials and logistics
The Essen waste management company (EBE) will provide garbage bags, gloves, and grabbers for all registered participants. A particularly practical feature: the high-quality gloves are washable and will last for several years – meaning they can be reused in future clean-up events. Furthermore, the red SauberZauber bags will be collected after the event and do not need to be transported by the participants themselves. Those who already have equipment from previous years are asked to reuse it. This saves resources and also protects the environment.
Free passage to the collection point
On the main event day, all participants with the SauberZauber sticker will receive free travel on Ruhrbahn public transport – ideal for getting to Baldeneysee comfortably. The sticker should be worn visibly and is, of course, biodegradable – perfectly in line with the principle of sustainability. While it's certainly not the primary reason to participate, prizes will be raffled off among all registered participants. Sponsors such as Ruhrverband, Geno Bank, Allbau, Seaside Beach, Baldeney, Jacob Stauder Private Brewery, Lichtburg cinema, and others are donating prizes, vouchers, and even movie screenings for entire school classes.
Register now – deadline is January 23, 2026
Anyone wishing to participate can register via the website sauberzauber-essen.de until January 23, 2026. Information about public clean-up events related to the Baldeneysee, which one can join, as well as information on organizing one's own group, can also be found there.
A strong statement for nature and community
The SauberZauber cleanup campaign in Essen, and therefore also around the Baldeneysee and along the banks of the Ruhr River, is certainly more than just collecting trash – it's an expression of responsibility, solidarity, and a mindful approach to nature. Everyone can contribute to keeping Essen's green spaces clean – for healthy flora and fauna, and for all of us.
