Shopping Carts and E-Scooters - Divers Retrieve Trash from Canal - Divers brave icy waters to clean Hamburg's trash-filled canal

Divers braved freezing waters to pull waste from Hamburg's Isebek Canal as part of the city's annual cleanup. The 'Hamburg Cleans Up!' campaign, now in its 26th year, saw volunteers retrieve everything from shopping trolleys to laptops. This year's effort marks one of Germany's largest environmental drives, with thousands taking part.

The operation took place near Hoheluftbrücke, a spot often used for illegal dumping. Divers spent over an hour in near-freezing water—just two degrees Celsius—hauling out bicycles, e-scooters, and other discarded items. The canal has long been a trouble spot for fly-tipping, making it a key target for this year's push.

The 'Hamburg Cleans Up!' initiative runs from February 20 to March 1. More than 82,000 volunteers and 1,200 organisations have signed up for the 2024 campaign. Past efforts have uncovered unusual finds, including a refrigerator, a safe, and even human remains.

Last year's dive focused on the Alster near Jungfernstieg. Since its launch in 1998, the project has grown into Germany's biggest cleanup event. Its goal remains simple: clear public spaces of litter and encourage residents to keep the city tidy.

This year's dive highlights the ongoing battle against illegal waste in Hamburg's waterways. The campaign's scale—with tens of thousands participating—shows its lasting impact on the city. Organisers hope the effort will inspire year-round awareness of waste disposal.