Litter picking adventures

Sniff, 29, She/They. Litter picking in Sweden.

[cleaning-nature]

Hi all! I'm Sniff and I pick up litter in Sweden. You can read more about me/this blog in my about.

[cleaning-nature]

Forgot to post an update about the pile, the traffic administration DID eventually pick it up! However, it took an entire month... So while I'm glad they did pick this up like they promised, I don't think I'll be asking them for help again. Some bags were torn open and some bigger litter was spread out again while I was waiting. Just doesn't work to wait that long for the trash to be collected. I'm working on figuring out a better solution, we'll see how that goes. For now, I'm just happy this trash made it out of the woods.

[cleaning-nature]

01/06-26 - Beach Day

It's been windy for a week straight, so I broke my own rule and went on a litter picking adventure anyway. This time I wanted to go clean up a beach for Nordic Cleanup Tour, even though I was a bit late.

I hadn't planned on spending all my time cleaning up around the benches, but I should've known those would be the worst spots. A large bin was about two arms lengths away and yet... That still seems to be too much effort for some people.

Bread clips were by far the most common item I found around the benches. Cigarettes/snus, bottlecaps, straws, utensils, and various food packaging was also common items. Someone had also eaten a huge amount of walnuts, so the shells were everywhere... Seriously considering getting a cat litter scoop just to pick those up.

One bin was so full that things had spilled over and been ripped out by birds. This is the type of situation where I'll feel conflicted about cleaning up. The municipality has to take care of their beaches on a regular basis, so I know for a fact someone else will be cleaning here. Which is something I can't say for other places I clean. But beach season hasn't quite started yet, so I'm guessing they're not focusing on beach maintenance just yet. It may take weeks before someone cleans up here. Meanwhile, the trash risks getting into the water... And either way I don't think they're able to clean up in as much detail as I did. I spent a fair amount of time just picking up glass shards from the sand... So I did clean up around the bin. The other bin was only half full, so I brought everything to that one. I got a full bag of trash and the area feels a lot more inviting now. Originally I wanted to focus on the beach itself, right near the water, so I'll need to go back at some point.

[cleaning-nature]

10/05-26 - Neglected Space

The transport administration promised me they'd send someone to pick up the trash I collected last time, but it's taking them some time... So, I figured I might as well clean up some more in that area, now that I know someone will be taking care of everything I collect.

This wooded area next to the road has always been very neglected. Trash accumulates there easily, but it's a dense area that's really difficult to navigate. This is also the area where I found the dog skeleton a few years back... I haven't gone back since purely because it's so difficult to walk around there. I didn't take many photos at all this time. All my focus was on cleaning up as much as possible while navigating the terrain. I'm glad I managed to do this now, before the vegetation has fully grown in.

Some trees were were uprooted in the Johannes storm. The large ones all had trash deeply embedded in the roots. This one had a glass bottle, the one I didn't take a photo of had a plastic straw, a dog poop bag, and a bunch of string stuck in it.

I also found this very old soda can that was almost entirely buried. I'm not sure when this type of can was discontinued, but it's possible it's from the 80s. There was also a whole lot of buried old plastic that was so fragile it crumbled to pieces if I wasn't careful.

I added the trash to everything I collected last time. The pile grew a lot more than I expected! I managed to collect 4 very full bags + some random large items. I only brought 2 bags with me, but I was able to reuse a couple of the bags I found in the woods. Some interesting finds was: a big sponge you use for washing cars, two very large cat treat bags, a long power cord, and some pieces of a decorated ceramic plate. The vast majority of the trash I picked up was plastic in various forms. I was litter picking in difficult terrain for 3 hours straight. I was so sweaty I looked like a drowned rat when I was done, and I ended up with a nasty headache because I hadn't rested and I hadn't brought any water. So... this is a reminder to please take breaks and drink water, don't be like me lol. I refuse to do any half-assed litter picking and that is simultaneously my greatest strength and my greatest weakness. That area is now cleaner than it's been in who knows how many years and I am really hoping the transport administration picks up the pile soon.

[cleaning-nature]

20/04-26 - Into The Woods

First order of business was to put up a sign in a spot where there's a makeshift firepit. This place is mostly surprisingly clean, but I figured a reminder would be good either way.

After that my plan was to clean up just a bit in that area, and then make my way up along the path where I've seen a bunch of litter. But I ended up having to pick up bits of string/rope for probably 30 minutes or so. It was absolutely everywhere! I'm unsure if it's kids or adults, or even just one person, but someone frequently builds "shelters" here. When they eventually collapse, the rope is just left behind. And then a new shelter is built, and the cycle continues. Pretty sure all of the rope I collected was a natural material, at least, but that doesn't mean it's okay to just leave tons of it in the woods... I ended up filling almost one entire bag with just rope.

Before leaving the woods, I found a golfball (I am nowhere near a golf course...) plus a very beat up football and a beanie.

And then the chaos begins... I had to kick the ball in front of me while I was moving up the path. At one point I spotted a small piece of plastic that eventually led me to a lot more. My current bag was already nearly full, and the one other bag I had with me was reserved for the mystery jelly. So I had to carry the bigger pieces on their own. Then I found one of those markers they place along the roads during winter. Wasn't supposed to be in the woods... so, I tried to carry that with me as well.

Then it was time to pick up all the Mystery Jelly. There was a LOT of it, and I had to fight my way in and out of an overgrown ditch to get a bunch of pieces. Just like I had expected, they were HEAVY! I was afraid the bag would break. It was at this point I realized I wouldn't be able to deal with all this trash myself. I had to take two separate trips to bring everything to the start of the path.

I picked up a couple other things nearby and put everything into one neat-ish pile. Photographed the pile + an overview of the area, so that I could report it to the municipality and ask them to pick everything up. They did pick up the big pile of things I reported last year, and that spot was just a few meters away from this one. I sent them the info the same evening and felt good about the whole thing.

The following morning I got a response saying they don't own that land/property, so... they'll do nothing. I investigated this the same day because it just didn't sound right. But accordning to their maps, apparently a housing company owns that patch of woods..? I still have trouble believing that's correct. I do know that the land closest to the railway is for sure owned by the transport administration, so I ended up contacting them instead. They replied with a generic "I've sent this to the proper departments" and I'm unsure if I'll hear back. Honestly, I'm really disappointed. It's always been a hassle to try to get ANY help whatsoever when I find lots of litter. First no one knows who would handle such a thing, and then you have to find out who owns the land, and so on and so forth. I don't understand why no one wants to cooperate! You'd think that encouraging and helping people who are cleaning up for free would be a win win for everyone but I guess not. Now that I know I can't expect any help, I'll have to start limiting myself more. It sucks and I'm really mad about it, but it's my only choice. I checked on the pile today and nothing's flown away, but the football is gone. Honestly not sure what I'll do next. Probably just have to wait a week or so, then figure out how to deal with the pile myself if no one wants to help. Going to end up stuffing everything into the trash cans at the bus stops if the transport administration won't help. Not ideal, but it is what it is.

[cleaning-nature]

Found this in the woods today and I... have... absolutely no clue what it is. I think it's some type of rubber/silicone..? Not organic at least. There were more pieces scattered around too.

[someoneq]

"everything is terrible and everyone sucks and nothing i do matters"

go outside, do some litter-picking, see how much better it looks after you pick up a bag (any size) of rubbish. talk to someone passing by as you do it because someone will probably thank you for the effort.

make the world better and kinder by being better and kinder. no change is made by wallowing in how much all of it sucks.

[cleaning-nature]

28/03-26 - Strange(r) Things

First adventure of the year! I'd been dying to clean up the path toward the bus stop. It's always the worst during spring and having to pass all that trash multiple times a week was driving me mad. The first stretch was mostly take out stuff, paper straws and cup lids and such. And as usual, a whole lot of snus containers and individual snus/cigarettes etc. Plus an unusually large amount of aluminium cans. Surprisingly, not a single glove this year!

I also found a hat, a cord, some metal thing, and what I think are the remains of a vape..? Plus two large bolts. All coming with me to the recycling center.

I realized pretty quickly that this wooded area is so bad I'd have to return another time. But it's not the usual type of litter, most of it seems like various plastic recycling. We had a huge freak storm at the end of december, so I suspect this stuff was carried over here from the recycling center and then promptly covered with snow.

I thought I could drag this TV box over to the recycling bins nearby, but it was wet and way too heavy. I may just report this whole area to the municipality because it needs a whole cleanup crew, not just a lone litter picker... There was an entire bike seat nearby as well, and two advent calendars.

Also found a demogorgon funko pop, guessing it was dropped by a kid/fell off a backpack since I was close to a school.

This green dog poop bag near the train track fence made me suspect that the person responsible for the dog poop stash is back at it... I'll have to examine the area more closely next time. The out of reach trash at the other side of the fence drives me crazy every time! Especially becase I can guarantee no one's ever cleaning up over there. There was also a big bag with "recycled ocean plastic" written on it. I couldn't reach it this time and if no one picks it up soon, it might become ocean plastic again... Oh, and there's a hidden piece of styrofoam in that last image :)

I ended up with two very full bags and a small bag with electronics/metal. Very happy with this day! Although, I should've booked it home as soon as the sun came out... So I'm suffering the consequences today. Doing anything in the harsh spring sun while you have a sun allergy is really difficult, but I hope I can litter pick more before the foliage grows in.

[cleaning-nature]

Spring arrived early this year as well, so I might go litter picking this weekend! There's already soooo much litter around town and the snow hasn't even completely melted yet.

However, I'm unfortunately struggling with my sun allergy more than ever. I'm not sure how that's going to affect things going forward :( Spent less than 10 minutes in the mild afternoon sun today and that was enough to make my skin itch. Sunscreen helps a lot, but I have to be careful anyway. I'll make it work somehow I'm sure, it's just a pain to deal with.

[cleaning-nature]

Winter means no litter picking for me, but I can recommend this lovely short film in the meantime!

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Litter picking has unfortunately been low on my priority list this summer, but thank you guys for the recent love on my litter picking tips post! I'm just an enthusiast who's doing this for fun, but my ask box is always open if anyone has any questions about getting started with litter picking! Also taking this opportunity to let everyone know World Cleanup Day is coming up on September 21st! Make sure to check to see if there are any special events planned in your country/area. If not, this would still be a great excuse to go on your first litter picking adventure!

[cleaning-nature]

Very unclear if there is an "official" nordic coastal cleanup day this year or not... They've been combining it with world ocean day for a couple years, which is sunday this week. But there's been no "signup" like there usually is. You'd tell them (Keep Sweden Clean) if you're participating so you can report how much trash you've picked up, which would be used for statistics. And there'd be graphics you could post on social media to say you're participating/to encourage others to join. But now, Keep Sweden Clean doesn't even list it on their events page? I could've sworn I saw it there earlier, listed as being on the 8th June, but now there's only mentions of a specific event in Stockholm. The government did recently decide to defund them, but that shouldn't affect this since people who participate just do it on our own? They're not paying to set up an event in person or anything. I did find this, after some digging.

But... I didn't hear a single thing about this..? No emails, nothing on their website or social media. Nothing that would indicate this is something the general public is encouraged to participate in. I dunno, this is just strange to me. I'm probably still going out just for the tradition of it, but it's disappointing to see how this entire event is just kind of disappearing quietly.

[cleaning-nature]

12/05-25 - Irony and reality

I live near a large recycling facility. It's ironic that the very place meant to house all our trash, where you go to do the right thing and recycle your stuff, is also responsible for a large amount of litter in my neighbourhood. I know some of it is inevitable, light plastics fly away easily, I understand you can't fully eliminate that problem. But there's also metal items that get picked up and distributed by birds, and items that fall off trailers when people are driving over there, and so on.

This is what I was met by when I had walked through the woods to get to the edge of the recycling center's area. Refreshing sight, truly... Some items won't go further than this, others are going to be carried into the woods by strong winds.

I know that because on my side of the fence, there's trash absolutely everywhere you look. Even large items like a car tire and a large roll of some type of plastic? Which, to be fair, might have just been dumped there intentionally and not come from the recycling center.

Here's a handful of the many things I found. Some of these items have been there a long time...

This looks like a bike tire that's fully embedded in the ground..?

You really can't go anywhere in these woods without seeing trash. And I didn't even go that far in, I mostly stayed on the path. If I wanna clean this area I'll have to do it asap, because things will be a whole lot less accessible once the vegetation grows in. At the same time, it's discouraging to know there's just going to be a steady stream of new trash coming in, and there's nothing I can do to prevent it, because the majority of this trash isn't the work of any individual person intentionally littering. I want to believe the recycling center is doing what they can to minimize the amount of trash that gets out. Still doesn't feel great to know that when I go there to get rid of stuff in a responsible way, it may actually end up as litter in my own neighbourhood.

[cleaning-nature]

31/03-25 - Early spring clean

First litter picking adventure of the year went well! As always things are pretty bad right after the snow melts.

This was what the bag looked like after maybe 20 minutes, after an hour it was so full I could barely close it.

I also found this random bag of screws near the bus stop, along with a pile of glass and a ratchet strap? I think? And I finally found the shoe that goes with the one I found last year! It was lodged in a small drainage pipe. Not too far from the other shoe, but still a fair distance away.

Final fun find of the day was this note that says "Sven's - Will be picked up /Helen" and I'm still wondering what he was going to pick up. I found a wide variety of things but the most frequent find was snus containers and candy packaging. I also found 4 gloves, don't think I've found so many at once before. I got a fairly decent size area done, but there's a few more places I wanna clean before all the vegetation grows in. Off to a great start! (Second attempt at reposting because Tumblr decided this post had mature content. The first post had been in "content label review" for over a month. Hate doing this because now my posts are out of order but oh well)

[cleaning-nature]

07/04-25 - Party Time

Went out to clear the popular path near my house, it's usually pretty bad during spring and this year was no exception.

I found ANOTHER Captain Morgan bottle in the same area I found two more last spring. Dunno if this was left over from back then or if this was new? Also found a mylar balloon which was a first for me.

Didn't realize the photo turned out bad until I got home but, I finally found an airpod. I knew I would eventually, these things are destined to become lost. Yay for electrical products that seem like they were intentionally designed to become litter!

I broke my own rule and only brought one bag because I wasn't feeling great and just thought I'd limit myself. But in the end I was outside for an hour and the bag was bursting at the seams. I also had a lovely chat with an elderly couple (and their very polite dogs) one of which was a retired teacher, she always made sure her students participated in the yearly litter picking events.

[cleaning-nature]

Officially returning from winter hibernation since spring arrived very early, almost all snow is gone now! And with that, litter has steadily been thawing out. On a short walk in the immediate area I spotted a glove (of course, wouldn't be spring without them), a paper cup, some plastic part from a car, a pacifier holder, metal tea light cups, a vape, and various candy packaging. Hoping to clean all that up sometime this weekend. Once the snow is gone I'm gonna go back to the spot where I found all that nasty trash back in september, to see if the municipality actually cleaned it up. These past couple years have been chaotic for me, but things are finally settling down. Hoping that means I can dedicate more time to litter picking this year!

[cleaning-nature]

21/09-24 - Nasty Surprises

Time for World Cleanup Day again! I planned to just clean up in my neighbourhood. First order of business was going down to this wooded path and deal with this mystery pile I'd spotted a while back.

I couldn't investigate without my litter picker, so I didn't know what was in there at first...

And this is what I pulled out. The diapers were super heavy and I assume they were used, but I didn't wanna look too closely. The thing I initially thought was a pair of panties was some type of torn up garment. There was also baby clothing, a towel, and a mattress that was bigger than I thought. I realized I couldn't handle this myself, I don't have any large bags and I couldn't dispose of everything properly. So I sent a request to the municipality asking them to take care of this.

A bit further along that path, in the same ditch where I found all those glass bottles years ago, I found this. A kid's shirt and a bunch of small plastic bags, the kind you use for fruit and veg in the grocery store. Very strange. There was also two plastic soda bottles with mystery yellow liquid in it...

Also found a lone shoe next to the road.

I ended up with two full bags, this was the first. And if the diapers weren't enough, I did also find two used condoms in a very public spot. Used diapers and condoms are both something I had expected to find at some point, feels like some type of litter picking milestone. And yes, I did thoroughly disinfect myself and my litter picker after that... Pretty successful day! Even if I'm a bit disappointed I couldn't take care of the mystery pile myself. I'll have to post an update if I get a response from the municipality.