Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most frequently asked questions are here!
If you can't find the answers to your questions, contact us at retrace@surfrider.eu!
Logistics and Organization
How can I find and join a cleanup near me?
All you have to do is go to the RETRACE interactive map:
1- Enter your city or ZIP code.
2- Browse the scheduled cleanups near you and click on the one that interests you.
3- You must create an account to participate. From your personal dashboard, you can contact the organizer of a cleanup you’re participating in or the participants in a fundraiser you’ve organized, as well as sign up for the available challenges.
4- Select "I'm participating."
Participation is free and open to everyone! You can come alone, with family, or with friends.
Is registration required to participate in a cleanup?
Registration is required to be covered by Surfrider’s insurance during the cleanup. The insurance covers cleanups held in France or Spain.
How do you organize a cleanup?
1- Create an account on the RETRACE website (or log in if you already have one).
2- Go to the “Organize a Cleanup” page and fill out the form: date, location, time, and estimated number of participants.
3- Select the items you’d like to receive in the organizer’s kit.
4- Post your event: it will appear immediately on the interactive map, which is accessible to all volunteers.
How do I choose the cleanup location?
Choose a site that is accessible, safe, and where the trash is clearly visible. Check whether it is managed by a local government or is a protected area, and contact the city hall or the responsible agency to obtain permission.
Make sure there is easy access for participants and a simple way to dispose of the trash after the cleanup.
Can we organize cleanups in the city, the forest, or the mountains?
Yes, you can organize a cleanup in the city, forest, or mountains, but the site must be near a waterway or body of water (river, lake, canal, sea). This proximity is essential because Surfrider analyzes the data collected to better understand how waste from land is transported by waterways to the ocean.
How do I edit/delete a cleanup?
Log in to your account on the RETRACE website, open the "My Events" tab, and select the event in question.
There, you can update the location and description.
Note: You cannot change the date and time of a collection that has already been created. To do so, you must contact the Retrace! team.
If you need to cancel, simply select the "Delete Cleanup" option; registered participants will automatically receive an email notification.
How do I share a cleanup?
After creating your event on Retrace!, go to your cleanup page: you’ll find a link and sharing buttons (email, social media, messaging) there. Copy the link or use the Facebook, WhatsApp, and other icons directly to invite your friends and family, coworkers, or local organizations.
Are there any ready-to-use communication materials available to promote the cleanup?
Yes! Everything is accessible from your account.
Can a cleanup be made private?
Only educational institutions are allowed to make their fundraising campaigns private for obvious reasons related to student safety.
When creating a fundraising campaign on RETRACE, simply select the “private” option. The event will not appear on the public map.
If I am a member of an association, can I register my cleanup on RETRACE?
Absolutely! Nonprofits are more than welcome on the platform. You can create an account in your organization’s name, track your cleanup efforts, and get a dedicated page that highlights your organization’s environmental initiatives and commitments. It’s also a great way to raise your organization’s profile, recruit volunteers, and share your projects with the entire RETRACE community.
How long does it take to receive the organizer's kit?
We recommend that you register your cleanup at least 3 weeks before the scheduled date to ensure you receive your kit on time. In France, delivery is often faster, but this timeframe remains the best guarantee that you will have all the materials you need on the big day.
What should I do if I haven't received my organizer kit on time?
If you still haven’t received your kit one week before your collection date, please contact the RETRACE team immediately by email or phone to check the delivery status.
If you haven’t received your kit by the day of the collection, you can still proceed with the collection using your own supplies ( gloves, sturdy bags, buckets) and, if necessary, ask the town hall or a local organization for last-minute supplies.
What should we do if the local government refuses to let us organize the cleanup?
This is an exceptional case. In that case, contact another local authority to arrange your cleanup, or reach out to the nearest local office to see if they can offer you an alternative solution that can be arranged locally.
During the cleanup
How can I contact the organizer of my cleanup?
Once you've signed up for the cleanup, go to your account dashboard and then to the event page: there you'll find a link to the cleanup chat, where you can send a message to the organizer or other participants.
What should I do if no one shows up at the meeting spot on the day of the event?
Start by checking the chat for your cleanup to see if the organizer has posted any last-minute messages. You can also message them directly using the “Contact the organizer” button.
To avoid this kind of situation, confirm the day before that the cleanup is still on, and if you're the organizer, encourage participants by sending a reminder or posting a message in the chat.
Can someone from Surfrider come and lead our cleanup?
The Retrace! program was designed to enable citizens to conduct a cleanup on their own, even without any specific knowledge of marine debris. As a result, a Surfrider team member does not need to be present to lead the cleanup
How do you facilitate a lesson?
The Retrace! team is currently working on developing lesson plans for grades 3–6. These will be available very soon in the personal dashboard for educational institutions.
If there are several participants, do they all need to be registered on the website, or can this be done on the day?
Registering on the website is currently the easiest option. However, if you are unable to do so, you can contact the organizer and ask them to print out the “List of Participants” document found in the Organizer’s Guide and bring it with them on the day of the cleanup. You can then sign up on that sheet at that time. Please note, however, that the same email address can be used to register multiple participants (in the case of a family, for example).
Who insures us during cleanup? / Do we need to have civil liability insurance?
During a cleanup event organized as part of the Retrace! project, Surfrider’s insurance provides you with liability coverage for damage caused to third parties (only for events held in France or Spain).
After the cleanup
Where can I return the kit after using it?
Reusable materials (banners, gloves, etc.) can be saved for future cleanups. Feel free to share it with a friend or family member who wants to become an organizer themselves. If you’d like to return it, this is only possible in the Basque Country at the MAIF office in Anglet, which has a designated drop-off bin at 47 Avenue de Bayonne, 64600 Anglet.
What should we do with our waste if the municipality does not provide a dumpster?
If a dumpster isn't available to you, you have two options:
- Ask the city hall where you can leave your bags so that the collection crew can pick them up during their route
- Take the bags to the nearest recycling center
Can we/Should we sort the collected waste?
The collected waste is then taken to a recycling center. Because it has been contaminated by seawater and UV rays, this waste cannot be processed through traditional recycling channels. Since this solution is not satisfactory for Surfrider, we are conducting research into ways to recycle the waste collected during Retrace! cleanups as part of a circular economy approach.
Why fill out the assessment form?
The assessment sheet allows you to record the quantity and type of waste collected. This data feeds into Surfrider's scientific databases and strengthens advocacy efforts to change laws against pollution. It also serves to highlight your collections and show the concrete impact of your efforts.
How do I fill out the Comprehensive Summary Sheet?
Log in to your Retrace! account after the cleanup, then click on “My Cleanups.” A blue banner will appear, giving you access to the data submission form.
All you have to do is fill out all the information on the online form : location, number of participants, quantities by type of waste collected…
You can also use the paper form available on the website (or in the kit) to record the data on-site, then enter it later. This information contributes to Surfrider’s scientific databases and advocacy efforts.
Image rights: how do they work?
If you take photos or videos during your cleanup, each participant must give their consent for their image to be used. For minors, written permission from parents or guardians is required. A ready-to-use image rights form is available on the Retrace! website; simply have it signed before or on the day of the event and keep it with your cleanup documents.
Businesses
Can someone from Surfrider come and help organize our cleanup if we’re a company?
Yes, it’s possible! To have a Surfrider facilitator dedicated to your event, companies must sign up through the Act! With Surfrider program. Visit the website actwithsurfrider.eu to explore our support options and organize your turnkey cleanup with our teams.
Is the use of the RETRACE program permitted for commercial or professional purposes?
The program’s materials and resources are intended exclusively for volunteers, citizens, and volunteer organizations for non-commercial use.
Non-Surfrider commercial entities (event agencies, private companies, sole proprietors, and even other organizations) are not authorized to use the program for profit. The Retrace! program and the materials provided may not be used in connection with any paid service whatsoever, under penalty of criminal prosecution.
Can a company receive specialized support from the association?
Surfrider offers a service called “Act! with Surfrider” to help companies raise awareness among their employees and support their CSR strategy. These workshops are tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Click here for more information.