Austrian Alpine Cleanup Uncovers Decades‑Old Waste in Glaciers and Mountains

More than two tonnes of historic litter were recovered this week from the Pasterze and Gamsgrube glaciers in the Hohe Tauern National Park. National park deputy director Johann Keuschnig said about 80 % of the debris were aluminum cans, most likely dating from the 1960s‑70s, and roughly 5 tonnes remain on the ice. The effort forms part of the park’s 40‑year special‑protection anniversary actions, with officials such as Landesrätin Marika Lagger‑Pöllinger taking part.

In a separate high‑altitude operation, an observant hiker reported large deposits of old car tyres, gasoline canisters and other waste on the Innsbruck Nordkette within the Karwendel Nature Park. Ranger Marina Hausberger and the volunteer "Team Karwendel" organized a clean‑up that will involve helicopter lifts to remove the material, noting the long‑term risk of micro‑plastics and fuel residues to fragile alpine ecosystems.