Berlin's litter crisis sparks a wave of volunteer cleanups across districts

Frustrated by overflowing bins and dirty streets, residents are grabbing gloves and trash bags. Can grassroots efforts outpace Berlin's growing litter crisis?

, and Administrator

2026 May 9 . 8:01 AM

1 min read

The image shows a black trash can with the words "Keep Baltimore More Clean" written on it, sitting... — The image shows a black trash can with the words "Keep Baltimore More Clean" written on it, sitting on the sidewalk in front of a building with glass doors.

Berlin's litter crisis sparks a wave of volunteer cleanups across districts

Berlin’s streets, parks, and public spaces are struggling with litter. From bulky waste on sidewalks to fast-food rubbish in train stations, residents describe the city as far too dirty. Yet, across districts, local groups are taking action to tackle the mess themselves. In Marzahn-Hellersdorf, volunteers from the Kiezmacher initiative recently cleared rubbish around Kaulsdorf Lake. Over in Mitte, residents gather regularly to pick up trash in green areas like Monbijou Park. Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg has also seen neighbourhood teams organising cleanups along the East Side Gallery.

The city’s waste management company, BSR, provides support through its Kehrenbürger platform. Registered groups can borrow tools and arrange for collected waste to be removed. However, many argue that more must be done. Critics say the city government and BSR need to ensure enough staff are deployed and that public bins are emptied on time.

Despite these efforts, litter remains a widespread issue. Discarded furniture blocks pavements, while food wrappers and takeaway containers pile up in parks and on transport platforms. A cleaner Berlin won’t happen through complaints alone. Officials must improve services, but residents also play a role by disposing of waste properly. Without collective effort, the city’s litter problem is unlikely to change.