Beach cleanups and trash hunting abroad: what is it, why should you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is trash hunting and beach cleanup abroad and why is it done?

Litter is a problem that exists worldwide, from the North Cape to Cape Horn and from tropical beaches to the slopes of Everest.
During trash hunting or cleanups, a specific area is chosen to take away all plastic trash and other waste.
Depending on the location, the waste consists of household waste, PET bottles, leftovers from fishing, trash (from tourists), or floating debris from the other side of the world.
Cleaning up litter can be intended to protect wildlife, to give nature another chance, or to make a place so beautiful that visitors will want to visit it again.
Most cleanups are organized by local citizen initiatives, foundations, and action groups, and joining them is free

During most cleanups you will go out with a group of volunteers with a pile of garbage bags and work gloves.
When cleaning up waste on islands, isolated beaches, or between mangroves, you will often do your cleanup work from a boat.
In reef cleanups, you will go into the water with a snorkel or diving gear depending on the depth of the water.
Sometimes a competitive element is added to an activity, where groups compete against each other to collect as many kilos of waste as possible.
Some environmentally conscious tour agencies offer discounts for people who are willing to pick up trash along hiking or climbing trails.
No training or experience is required for this work; the much bending and the large amounts of waste make this work quite hard, so a reasonable to good condition is desirable.

Involvement: cleaning up strengthens your sense of involvement in tackling pollution and protecting nature in a very hands on way.
Experience: for a large part of the cleanups you will be active in a location where you as a tourist will not quickly come. By working with a group of committed volunteers, you will experience the environment more strongly than normal.
New contacts: the low-key nature of the activity ensures that a diverse audience participates. It is a way for outsiders to get to know the locals or for expats to meet other involved citizens.