SCUBAPRO Europe Accepts the Clean Earth Challenge
Building on Johnson Outdoors’ legacy of sustainability and commitment to preserving nature, we partnered with the National Wildlife Federation to launch the Clean Earth Challenge in Summer 2022. The mission is to inspire outdoor enthusiasts to get involved by collecting trash around the world, with a goal of 1 million pieces of litter removed from the great outdoors.
The Johnson Outdoors family of brands took the challenge across the country, but SCUBAPRO had the unique opportunity to spread the Clean Earth Challenge on a global scale. Throughout the summer, cleanup events were held across Europe and Asia at SCUBAPRO’s regional offices, as well as in the USA.
Here’s a look at the specifics from SCUBAPRO’s European locations during their Summer cleanup events:
SCUBAPRO Italy:
Date: July 10
Location: Sestri Levante, Genoa, Liguria, Italy
Participants: 15
Trash Collected: 450 pieces 
Along the seabed of Silence Bay, SCUBAPRO’s Italian Cleanup team spent a warm summer morning tackling trash nearby their headquarters. The team of 15 divided their efforts above and below the surface, including divers on scuba removing trash that had trickled into the bay. In total, the team collected nearly 220lbs/100kg, the majority of which was plastic waste.
“It was challenging, but we still had a lot of fun and at the end, we were all very satisfied. Despite the heat, the guys didn't stop for a moment!” says Matias Civitella, SCUBAPRO Italy’s Production Manager.
To add to the fun, the Cleanup Event included a treasure hunt, where a group of children (including those of the employees’) searched for numbered stones to win prizes during the event.
SCUBAPRO Northern Europe:
Date: July 19
Location: Harbour Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany
Participants: 21
Trash Collected: 1,439 pieces 
Despite record breaking heat in Nuremberg, the SCUBAPRO Germany team kicked off the Clean Earth Challenge with high spirits and motivation. The team of 21 spread across the harbor to collect a more than 450 pounds/210kgs of trash, again with plastic being the majority offender.
“It was amazing to see how much trash even is around in our “clean looking“ areas. This shows that the waste problem is not far away like in Asia or somewhere else, but it starts here in front of our doors. Everybody should think about reducing plastic and act sustainably. When we open our eyes, this is a huge topic in all our daily life, and this is where everyone can start,” says Susanne Freundl, SCUBAPRO Senior Marketing Specialist for Northern Europe.
This is the first of many more cleanup events to come in Germany, and a great start to the Clean Earth Challenge.
SCUBAPRO Southern Europe:
Date: August 30
Location: Cap d’Antibes, Antibes, France
Participants: 16
Trash Collected: 4,450 pieces
The SCUBAPRO France team focused their cleanup efforts in the Cap d’Antibes Peninsula, cleaning along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The team of 16 walked along the beaches and the reserve trail, as well as the parking lots and surrounding area to the Cap d’Antibes access. This picture-perfect destination on the French Riviera yielded the highest volume of trash of any European destination, with nearly 4,500 pieces of trash collected that day.
“Even on such an inspiring and gorgeous coast on the Mediterranean Sea we found an unbelievable amount of trash to pick up!” says Eileen Schluter, SCUBAPRO Marketing Manager for Southern Europe. “We were amazed at what humans were capable to leave or throw on the ground, and the cleanup was a great way to sensitize the public to be careful and throw away trash in appropriate containers (which were available at the beginning of the reserve trail area).”
SCUBAPRO Switzerland:
Date: September 1
Location: Spreitenbach, Switzerland
Participants: 13
Trash Collected: 1,000+ pieces
Initially, the SCUBAPRO Switzerland team was taking the challenge underwater for a cleanup dive in Lake of Zurich. Unfortunately, due to regional approval and permit policies, the team had to keep their efforts on land.
Thinking on their feet, the team of 13 directed their efforts to cleaning the community outside of the Switzerland office, where they collected over 1,000 pieces of trash – including an entire car bumper.
The most interesting and biggest item collected was the lower front coverage of a car, along with an abundance of discarded plastic and paper products.
At SCUBAPRO, we are proud to be part of a family of brands committed to making a positive impact for the environment – no matter what country. Our mission to #ComeCleanForEarth continues every day, and we invite you to join the movement and learn more by visiting the Clean Earth Challenge website.