On June 26th, we returned to the site in Bielany, between Arkuszowa and Wólczyńska streets, to continue cleaning up the area. We were joined by a group of 13 volunteers from Aon Foundation. Despite the high temperature, the whole team worked with full commitment, and the result of our joint effort was 35 full bags of trash.
When one action isn’t enough
Sometimes the area we’re working on is either so large or so littered that it simply can’t be fully cleaned in a single visit – and that’s completely normal. Instead of giving up halfway through, we plan further visits, gradually working through the whole area in a systematic way. That’s exactly what happened in Bielany, where earlier cleanups in May had already dealt with part of the trash, but the large size of the area called for further visits. We treat this as a process rather than a one-off event – consistency in returning to the same site matters just as much as the number of bags collected.
Small fragments and big finds – trash comes in many forms
During a cleanup, you never quite know what you’ll be dealing with. Sometimes you come across classic, easy-to-spot waste, like plastic or glass bottles that can be quickly picked up and tossed into a bag. Other times, as was the case during this event in Bielany, the ground is covered with small, partially decomposed fragments of trash that require far more patience and precision – they have to be searched for among the grass and vegetation almost by hand. This second type of work is considerably more time-consuming, but just as important, since small waste left in the ground can pollute the soil for years. That’s why we always prepare for both scenarios and adjust our pace to whatever we actually find on site.
Working together despite the heat
The high temperature made the day’s work more demanding, but the group kept up great energy throughout the entire event. Participants chatted with each other easily, which made the atmosphere relaxed and friendly despite the physically demanding task. It shows that commitment and a good atmosphere can offset even tough weather conditions, and that shared physical work often brings a group closer together.
Thank you!
Thank you to Aon Foundation for another joint action and for your commitment to cleaning up Bielany. Actions like this remind us that caring for the environment takes dedication and patience – but the results, even when they only become visible after several visits, are genuinely worth the effort.
