World Clean Up Day

National and World Cleanup Day takes place on the third Saturday of September. World Clean Up Day is a beloved event that mobilizes people to protect the environment by cleaning litter and eliminating waste in their communities. If you are looking to clean up your neighborhood, the New Forest National Park or join a group, this cause is amazing and fun!

The History of World Clean Up Day

It brings people together from around the world to help clean up their communities. This day brought millions of people together nationally and internationally to participate in the largest waste collection day ever. Will you help us create a world without waste?

World Cleanup Day is the largest civic movement of peacetime in human history. It has united 211 countries, including 95% of UN listed countries, around the globe, with 91 millions volunteers, or 1.1% of the global population, all working to make the planet cleaner.
It is a movement of unity that transcends cultures, borders and even conflicts.

Every year, on one day, partners and volunteers from around the world come together to raise awareness about the global crisis of mismanaged waste.

We can overcome seemingly impossible challenges (wars, climate disasters, etc.). We clean litter and waste off our beaches, rivers lakes forests streets parks…everywhere.

World Cleanup Day is a day to harness the power of people from around the globe, who can achieve amazing things when they join together.

The beauty of cooperation is in building bridges across communities, from businesses to citizens and governments.

In 2018, more than 18 million environmental heroes came together to form a 36-hour global green wave, starting in Fiji before traveling the world and ending in American Samoa.

The number of people who attended increased to 21,2 million in 2019. And millions more still came out in 2020 and in 2021 despite the Covid restrictions.

In 2023 the number of participants continued to decline after Covid, but rose back up towards levels in 2019. This included countries that reported cleanup actions for first time. The message’s depth and breadth showed an increase. From cleaning up your backyard to cleaning up the neighborhood, get involved today!

Our dedicated volunteers are not deterred by the wars or climate disasters that may occur in countries like Syria, Sudan and Ukraine.

Purpose and Objectives

Clean Up Day continues today to mobilize a large number of people in the community as environmental volunteers. The key objectives are:

• Remove and dispose of waste safely from the environment
• Identification of litter trends and sources
• Awareness raising about waste problems and solutions
• Community participation is key to inspiring action
• Supporting sustainable initiatives to reduce waste

The purpose of the campaign remains unchanged – to unite people to tackle environmental problems that we face collectively across this vast brown land.

How can I get involved?

Some ask, ‘Do I have to clean on World Clean Up Day’? You can do it whenever you want! Register here: https://www.worldcleanupday.org/get-involved

Here are some key ways you can participate:

Organise your own local clean up

You can register and organise a cleanup any day of the year. Sign up online and receive a free Clean Up Kit, complete with bags, gloves, and safety instructions.

Join an Existing Local Event

Register to attend a local cleanup by using the Cleanup website. This is a great opportunity to get to know your local community while helping preserve the area.

Clean up as you go

Pick up litter when you see it, such as on your daily walk, run or hike, and properly dispose of it to keep the community clean.

Why Register your Participation?

Many people wonder why they need to register. Registering is essential for a number of reasons.

Environmental Benefits

Clean Up Days help reduce litter pollution, which can harm wildlife and ecosystems. When thousands of volunteers remove rubbish across the country, dump sites and littered spaces are transformed into clean areas where nature can regenerate over time. The less waste that reaches waterways, the better for our beaches, rivers and marine life.

Health & Wellbeing

You can improve your mental and physical well-being by participating in clean up activities. Exercise and being in green spaces, away from the bustle of city life, can reduce stress and increase energy. It also improves mood. Volunteers enjoy the opportunity to connect with other community members who share a similar cause.

Awareness & Education

Clean Up Days are a great way to raise awareness of the problems associated with rubbish, waste, and environmental responsibility. This large-scale mobilization generates national media coverage and discussion on these issues. Many volunteers are motivated to change their behaviour after seeing the amount of litter collected. Schools Clean Up Day also has a strong focus on educating the next generation.

Community Building

Clean Up Days bring people from all walks to the table in order to protect the local environment. The event fosters social cohesion and connections as strangers come together to collect rubbish, and local residents are proud of their neighbourhood. Volunteers often describe their team like a large family with children, parents, grandparents, and people from different backgrounds all contributing. Friendships can last a lifetime.

Economic Benefits

By keeping communities and public recreational areas clean and free of litter and waste, local councils can save a lot on costs for landfill management and collection. Cleaning up cities, parks, and beaches can also increase tourism, boost property values for residents, and attract new businesses and job opportunities. By preventing pollution, we protect the environmental assets that support sectors such as agriculture and fishing.

Wildlife Protection

A second benefit is that littering and rubbish are less dangerous to domestic and native animals. Animals may get their heads or limbs caught in discarded items such as bottles. They can also get sick due to toxins that leach from waste, or ingest plastic thinking it is food. It prevents cruelty to animals and protects biodiversity. Cleanups help the environment thrive and support the wildlife that we love.

Making an Impact in Australia Alone

World Clean Up Day is a day that has had a positive impact on the lands.

• Over 30 years, 21+ millions Australians have participated.
• 376 000 cubic meters of waste removed from neighborhoods and bush
• Australia has 818,000+ sites that have been cleaned up
• Environmental issues to be addressed with $44+ Million raised
• Toyota Australia has planted 2 million native trees

Collectively, people have transformed eye-sores into beautiful community parks. It has cleaned up suburban streets and country creeks. It has prevented over 55,000 tonnes of waste from entering landfills, our waterways and the ocean.

World Clean Up Day is encouraging because it has mobilized a new generation of youths who are becoming more aware of sustainability and ready to tackle the challenge.

Each year, the first of March is a day to bring hope and highlight that we can all make a positive difference, no matter how small.

Conclusion

World Clean Up Day shows how everyday citizens can harness the power of their community to make a meaningful difference in the environment. The movement that began more than 30 years ago with a man’s call for action has now become a national sustainability movement.

This tradition brings together people and mobilizes volunteers for the removal of rubbish. It also raises awareness about waste issues, educates future generations, and encourages community interaction. Over the years, millions of people have worked together to reduce littering and pollution. They also prevented tons of waste.

People of all backgrounds now participate in this tradition, whether they spend an hour or a whole day working to protect our natural areas for wildlife, future generations, and for our own enjoyment.

World Clean Up Day encourages individuals to take action in order to protect places that we cherish from the problems that affect all of us. World Clean Up Day continues to raise awareness in Australia about the importance of caring for our environment.