On World Cleanup Day 2025, we highlight inspiring local cleanup initiatives led by SPAR country organisations. From SPAR Denmark’s waste collection tours to SPAR Northern Ireland’s recognition of student litter heroes, and SPAR Slovenia’s dedication to cleaning waters across the country, these efforts reflect the SPAR brand’s ongoing commitment to protecting the environment and supporting local communities.

SPAR Denmark supports waste collection tours

For the seventh consecutive year, SPAR Denmark is supporting the national environmental organisation Ren Natur (Clean Nature). Founded in 2018, Ren Natur organises waste collection tours across Denmark, encouraging local associations and residents to volunteer.

This year, an impressive 5.5 tonnes of waste, equivalent to approximately 702,056 individual items, were collected during the first collection period from May to July. At 52 local SPAR stores across Denmark, more than 800 volunteers, including children, adults, associations, scouts, and sports clubs, gathered 323 full garbage bags of rubbish.

Until now, the initiative has been driven by local associations. Starting this year, anyone who wants to make a difference can join the project by borrowing a clean-up kit free of charge from their local SPAR store.

“At SPAR, we are part of something bigger. We are part of the local community. Therefore, for us, Ren Natur is not just about collecting waste, but about taking responsibility where we live and run our stores. It is powerful to see how our independent retailers support both a cleaner environment and the local associations that bring communities together,” said Esben Keller, CEO of SPAR Denmark.

SPAR Northern Ireland rewards students for cleaning up their community

Students from Knockevin Special School have been recognised as ‘Litter Heroes’ for their dedication to cleaning up their community. As part of SPAR Northern Ireland’s campaign, six student council members carried out weekly litter picks throughout the school year. To thank them for their efforts, SPAR Northern Ireland awarded the pupils a class trip after the school was selected through a Q Radio campaign. The initiative invited schools to nominate themselves for a chance to win, supporting the company’s goal of keeping towns and villages within which they operate in Northern Ireland free of rubbish.

Bronagh Luke from SPAR Northern Ireland commented, “It’s amazing to see so many schools across the country getting involved in cleaning up their local communities. Our SPAR store teams are dedicated to cleaning their local areas, with many taking part in multiple litter picks each year, and it’s great to see this being passed down to the younger generation.”

SPAR Slovenia backs water cleanup efforts

SPAR Slovenia continues its strong commitment to protecting the environment through a number of impressive water cleanup initiatives. This year, the retailer teamed up with the YouSea Institute for four marine cleanups, removing over 1,000kg of litter from seagrass meadows, vital habitats for marine biodiversity. The campaign also raises awareness about the importance of preserving these ecosystems.

For the eighth year in a row, SPAR Slovenia joined the traditional cleanup of the Ljubljanica River, where 72 divers, fishermen, firefighters, and volunteers collected 660kg of waste.

The Lake Bled cleanup, also in its eighth year, welcomed students from two elementary schools for the fifth time, under the guidance of the Slovenian Diving Association.

On 13 September, SPAR Slovenia took part in the ninth annual Lake Sobo cleanup, organised by the Murska Sobota Diving Association, under the auspices of the Slovenian Diving Association. Students from three primary schools helped collect 120kg of waste.

Since 2017, SPAR Slovenia has worked with the Slovenian Diving Association to clean more than fourteen rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, including the Ljubljanica, Mura, Drava, Krka, Sava, Ščavnica, Lake Bled, Lake Sobosko, and the Fiesa coast.

Sources: SPAR Denmark, Henderson Group, SPAR Slovenia