A Simple Guide to Organizing a Cleanup Event

Before the Cleanup
  • Collect waste bags: Pick up free Clean Up Iceland waste disposal bags during your call in Reykjavík.
  • Review approved locations: Approved cleanup sites and landing instructions are available in the O‑VRAT, and in the Cruise Database (CDB)
  • Confirm landowner permission: Ad‑hoc cleanups are possible but still require approval.
    • Advance notice (24+ hours) is strongly recommended; more notice is preferred.
  • Optional coordination:
    • Check whether local participants can join the activity.
    • Contact The Blue Army or Ocean Missions to explore joint cleanup or outreach opportunities.
    • Consider adding a community engagement element where appropriate.
  • Contacts:
    • Ocean Missions – Cleanups and engagement in North Iceland: oceanmissions@gmail.com
    • The Blue Army  – Marine pollution engagement and local expertise: tomas@blaiherinn.is
    • Landowners: Contact details are available in the O‑VRAT and the CDB.
During the Cleanup
  • Use Clean Up Iceland waste bags for free disposal: These are only intended for marine litter.
  • Document the activity (for Post Visit Report):
    • Amount collected (weight preferred, or number of bags and litter type)
    • Distance cleaned
    • Number of participants
  • Take photos: Document the cleanup activity and collected litter.
  • Transport waste on board: Bring all collected waste back to the vessel.
  • Arrange disposal in port: Upon arrival in Reykjavík (REY) or Akureyri (AKU), inform your port agent that you have Clean Up Iceland waste. Disposal will be coordinated by the port agent and Terra.
  • Costs: No charge for marine litter disposal
    • No port or anchorage fees for cleanup‑only calls when the vessel is not alongside
    • If additional activities are arranged, related fees are agreed separately with the landowner or authority
After the Cleanup
  • Submit Post Visit Report (PVR): Record cleanup details and select “cleanup” as an activity. No separate report to AECO is required.
  • Share visuals (optional): Photos or videos may be sent to aeco@aeco.no with photographer credit and location. Materials may be used for AECO outreach and communication.
  • Encourage outreach: Invite guests and crew to use #CleanupIceland and #AECOCleanSeas on social media.

What is the reporting for?

The information you provide is essential for improving understanding of marine pollution in Arctic waters and for documenting AECO members’ efforts to address this issue. The data is shared with the Icelandic Environment Agency and contributes to national environmental reporting.

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Last update: 29. April 2026