250 Kilograms of Swiss glacier debris collected

Garbage in nature - 250 Kilograms of Swiss glacier debris collected

At a cleanup event in a Swiss glacier area, around 90 volunteers collected approximately 250 kilograms of trash in one day. Among the items found were a wool hat, a backpack, but also cigarette and candy packaging, as reported by the Diavolezza Lagalb AG mountain railway operation. Some items had likely been lying in the ice for years and are now coming to the surface due to the rapid melting of the glacier.

The volunteers set out from the Diavolezza mountain station in Engadin, Graubünden, with garbage bags. Mountain guides led them safely across the Pers and Morteratsch glaciers. This was the third cleanup action by the mountain railways.

Art pieces from the finds

"The Morteratsch glacier is the most voluminous glacier in the eastern Alps," the company shared. However, it is melting at an enormous rate. "In the last 150 years, the glacier tongue has retreated by around three kilometers, and the entire glacier has lost about two thirds of its volume." The cleanup team discovered old iron chains, skis, and remains of an old measurement station.

The Engadin wood sculptor Nora Engels intends to process well-preserved finds into wooden artworks. They will be auctioned off next year to benefit glacier conservation projects.

1. The collected trash, including cigarette packaging and candy wrappers, provides a stark reminder of human waste in the pristine glacier environment.
2. The rapid melting of the glacier has brought to the surface various items of 'Art', such as a wool hat and a backpack, that have been preserved in the 'dirt' of the ice for years.
3. The scientific data collected during the cleanup event will contribute to our understanding of the impact of 'climate' change on the Alps and its glaciers, potentially aiding future 'science' projects.
4. Tourism in the Engadin region is heavily dependent on the beauty of the Alps and its glaciers, making the effort to clean up 'waste' crucial for preserving this natural 'ice' treasure for future generations of Swiss and international 'people'.
5. As a part of promoting sustainability in tourism, Diavolezza Lagalb AG mountain railway operation encourages volunteers to participate in these 'Cleaning action' events, reducing the environmental footprint and ensuring the longevity of the area's 'ice' attractions.
6. The 'Cigarette' butts collected during the cleanup represent just one component of the overall waste issue, signifying the need for more stringent regulation and public awareness campaigns to address littering in natural areas.
7. Switzerland, known for its pristine beauty, will need to continue its efforts to tackle waste management and 'Glacier' protection to effectively combat the effects of climate change, preserving its natural wonders and promoting eco-tourism.

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