Jena, 21.03.2026 – This year’s “SaalePutz” environmental campaign in Jena concluded with record participation. On Saturday, more than 500 volunteers cleared the riverbanks and the waters of the Saale extensively of trash and debris.
Curious Finds from a Message in a Bottle to a Stuffed Animal
The volunteers were active in several sections of the city area equipped with buckets, gloves, and trash pickers. The cleanup did not only take place on foot: several teams used inflatable boats to specifically collect waste directly from the river course, which was subsequently disposed of professionally on land.
In addition to typical everyday waste, the operation also brought some unusual items to light. For instance, volunteers salvaged a giant teddy bear from the water, which, according to the organizers, has since found a new home. A message in a bottle was also discovered, and its sender can now expect a reply.
“It is great to see how many people are working together for a clean Saale and taking responsibility for their city,” praised Zoe Lukas Lang, project manager of the “SaalePutz” at the Bürgerstiftung Jena Saale-Holzland. The campaign is organized as a joint project of various associations, initiatives, and volunteers under the leadership of the Bürgerstiftung.
Water Detectives Investigate on the Riverbank
For the first time this year, a scientific hands-on activity was on the program alongside the pure trash collection. Under the title “Tatort Saale – The Water Detectives,” interested parties could take water samples together with researchers, examine the water quality, and analyze found objects in more detail.
Background: The Saale as Jena’s Lifeline
The Saale significantly shapes the cityscape of Jena and is, especially in the area of the Paradiespark, an essential local recreation area for the residents. Regular cleaning campaigns like the “SaalePutz” are indispensable for local environmental protection. They help prevent carelessly discarded plastic waste in nature from breaking down into microplastics through weathering and thus entering the food chain of fish and waterfowl. The Bürgerstiftung Jena Saale-Holzland is committed to strengthening long-term awareness of a clean cityscape and intact ecosystems by coordinating volunteer initiatives.
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More than 500 volunteers collect trash along the Saale
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.