Berlin to Implement ‘BerlinPay’ Scheme: Tourists to Become Spree Litter Pickers
Berlin, April 14 – The city of Berlin is preparing to launch an innovative program called ‘BerlinPay,’ which aims to enlist tourists in the effort to clean up the Spree River. Under this scheme, visitors will be rewarded with vouchers for collecting litter from the city’s waterways, a move designed to address Berlin’s ongoing trash problem and potentially stimulate its tourism sector.
The initiative, first reported by BILD newspaper, is modeled after Copenhagen’s successful ‘CopenPay’ program, which has been in effect since 2024. In Copenhagen, tourists receive free admission to local attractions, guided tours, and complimentary refreshments for participating in litter collection efforts. Berlin’s version will offer similar incentives, though the exact redemption points for the vouchers are still being finalized.
Addressing Berlin’s Persistent Litter Problem
Berlin has been grappling with a significant litter issue, despite an increased budget for its cleaning company, Berliner Stadtreinigungsbetriebe (BSR). This year, the BSR’s budget rose to €173 million, a nearly 14% increase from the previous year, with further increases planned for 2027. However, trash continues to accumulate across the city, and its waterways, including the Spree, are particularly affected.
Franziska Giffey, Berlin’s Senator for Economic Affairs and an SPD member, stated in an interview with BILD, “We want to take a page from Copenhagen’s book when it comes to cleanliness.” The city hopes that by involving tourists, it can more effectively combat the pervasive problem of urban refuse.
Inspiration from Copenhagen and Past Initiatives
The ‘CopenPay’ scheme has demonstrated that incentivizing tourists can be an effective way to maintain urban cleanliness while offering unique visitor experiences. Berlin has previously experimented with similar concepts, such as the ‘Green Kayak’ initiative, which offered free kayaking trips on the Spree for participants willing to collect floating trash.
The ‘BerlinPay’ program seeks to expand on these past efforts by offering more tangible rewards, aiming to attract a larger number of volunteers and potentially draw more tourists to the city, an area where Berlin has recently faced challenges.
Details and Implementation Timeline
The city is currently in the process of identifying institutions willing to participate in the ‘BerlinPay’ scheme and accept the vouchers. Further details regarding the program are expected to be announced before the Pentecost holiday, which is when the ‘BerlinPay’ concept is slated for official presentation and launch.
The success of ‘BerlinPay’ will depend on the willingness of both tourists to participate and local businesses to embrace the voucher system. If successful, it could provide a sustainable model for urban cleanliness and offer a novel way for visitors to engage with the city beyond traditional sightseeing.
The initiative highlights a growing trend among European cities to involve citizens and visitors in environmental stewardship, transforming what might traditionally be seen as a civic duty into an engaging and rewarding experience.
Source: https://www.the-berliner.com/news/tourists-to-become-berlins-new-litter-pickers/
