Cleaning the Vistula Riverside in Warsaw with Mars – April 25, 2025
Cleaning the Vistula Riverside in Warsaw with Mars – April 25, 2025
On April 25, 2025, the area along the Vistula River—from Gdański Bridge to the vicinity of Ratuszowa Street—was filled with commitment, energy, and care for nature. One More Tree Foundation, in cooperation with Mars, organized a cleanup of the riverside bushes and meadow. As part of the Mars employee volunteering program, 25 people took part, dedicating their time and energy to care for the local environment.
The result of their joint efforts was nearly 50 bags of collected waste. It’s a visible change that can be noticed with the naked eye – litter disappeared from the wild corners, and nature was given a chance to breathe again.
Why is keeping riverbanks clean important?
Pollution near rivers, lakes, and other water bodies poses a serious environmental threat. Trash left on riverbanks – such as plastic bottles, packaging, or textiles – can easily end up in the water and spread further, often reaching seas and oceans.
Plastic waste takes hundreds of years to decompose, releasing microplastics that are ingested by fish and waterfowl. This affects not only local ecosystems but also the entire food chain – including humans. Polluted riverbanks are also dangerous to land animals, which can become entangled in the waste or swallow it, leading to serious injury or death.
That is why cleaning such places is crucial. It’s an action that genuinely protects nature – both locally and on a broader, global scale.
Employee volunteering – real value
Employee volunteering is an important part of corporate social responsibility. By participating in such initiatives, employees have the opportunity not only to support the local community but also to experience something unique – teamwork in a new context, away from everyday responsibilities. It’s an experience that strengthens the sense of responsibility and the impact each of us can have on our surroundings.
Clean space – a shared responsibility
Green area cleanups are not only a tangible help to the environment but also an important message to the community. The visible presence of volunteers in parks, forests, or along riverbanks shows that caring for nature can be part of everyday choices – even at work. Every bottle picked up from the grass, every bag filled with waste is a step toward a more conscious and responsible approach to shared spaces. Such initiatives build a culture of respect for nature and inspire others to take action.
Thank you!
One More Tree Foundation would like to sincerely thank the volunteers from Mars who actively and passionately participated in the cleanup.
Actions like this show how valuable employee volunteering is – not only for the environment but also for building a responsible organizational culture. The Mars team’s efforts are a great example of how caring for nature can go hand in hand with integration, development, and working together for the common good.
