Thousands of yellow rubber ducks floating down a narrow river during a charity event.
A Bizarre Sporting Event
Charity sports events usually feature marathon runners or celebrity boxing matches. They rarely involve dumping 20,000 pieces of plastic into a major waterway.
Yet, that is exactly what happens in Luxembourg. On April 26, 2025, the small European nation hosted the 24th edition of its annual Duck Race.
According to the Italian environmental outlet GreenMe, organizers released 20,000 rubber ducks into the Alzette river in Luxembourg City. The spectacle drew high-profile political figures, including Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Mayor Lydie Polfer.
High Stakes for Rubber Ducks
The unusual race serves as a massive fundraising operation. Spectators pay €5 to sponsor a single rubber duck in the competition.
Proceeds benefit several international non-profits, including Pharmacists Without Borders, Aide à Bénin, Study-Help ASBL, and Asha 4 Children.
Organizers incentivize donations with heavy-hitting prizes. The grand prize winner takes home a brand-new Volkswagen Polo. Other top rewards include an outdoor kitchen valued at €6,500 and a €2,700 Cannondale electric bike.
Tons of Plastic in the River
Despite its charitable goals, the event faces fierce environmental criticism. Local associations and individuals are raising alarms about the sheer volume of plastic introduced to the river ecosystem.
Critics argue that releasing tons of synthetic rubber into the Alzette slowly deteriorates water quality. They also point out the glaring optics of the spectacle.
According to environmental advocates, dumping thousands of plastic toys into a river sends a terrible public message about recycling and ecological respect.
The Carbon-Neutral Defense
Eldoradio, the organization behind the Duck Race, has pushed back against the mounting backlash.
The organizers claim the event is entirely carbon-neutral because they purchase carbon offsets to balance their emissions.
Eldoradio also notes that the Duck Race is officially partnered with the “AntiGaspi” initiative, a local campaign dedicated to fighting food waste.
