As the countdown to World Cleanup Day 2024 hits the one-month mark, preparations are well and truly underway! On Friday 20 September, millions of people across the globe will unite for a cleaner, healthier planet. And this year, our Let’s Do It World (LDIW) global network is celebrating an important milestone: World Cleanup Day is now officially recognised as an International Day in the United Nations Calendar. This recognition amplifies our mission to inspire global action against the mounting waste crisis, and will help us mobilise millions worldwide to come together with a strong message of hope and action on 20 September.
Under the banner of our campaign slogan, "Make Room for Life," we’re calling on individuals, organisations, and communities to take part in this global action, and inspire ever greater numbers of people to join the fight against mismanaged waste. Because World Cleanup Day isn’t just about picking up trash – it’s about reclaiming spaces for life to thrive, free from the pollution that threatens our natural resources and global wellbeing.
For all of us in the Let’s Do It World network, World Cleanup Day has always been about more than just one day of action. It’s a catalyst for lasting societal change in how we view and manage waste, by raising awareness, changing behaviours and driving forward action for change. Each year, humanity generates over 2 billion tonnes of waste, with much of it ending up in our waterways – choking marine life, disrupting ecosystems, and contaminating our water supplies. Projections suggest a 70% increase in global waste by 2050, if we fail to act now.
But, despite the challenges, our LDIW global network of incredible doers brings hope! Last year’s World Cleanup Day saw participation from 198 countries and territories, with 19.1 million volunteers collecting a staggering 218,704 tonnes of waste. Across the six years that our global network has been leading World Cleanup Day, a total of 211 countries and territories have taken part, with an incredible 95% of the UN member states engaged. These numbers are a testament to the growing global movement that is determined to tackle this crisis head-on.
World Cleanup Day offers an important opportunity to be part of something bigger than ourselves. By finding a local cleanup or organising your own, you’ll be joining millions of others across borders, cultures, sectors and generations. Through cross-sectoral cooperation, World Cleanup Day catalyses the circular economy and a zero waste future of transforming waste into resources through collaborative innovation and sustainable practices.
So whether you’re a seasoned Let’s Do It World network member, or totally new to our global movement, here’s how to get involved for a successful and impactful World Cleanup Day 2024:
The simplest way to be part of World Cleanup Day is to find an organised cleanup near you. To find one to join, search for your country on our interactive map. There, you can either find cleanup events and register directly via the map, or follow the links to your country’s cleanup registration page and social media channels.
Can’t find a cleanup nearby? Why not get a group together and start one yourself? Organising a cleanup is a powerful and rewarding way to take action and inspire others. By mobilising those around you to take part, you can have an even bigger impact on the future of our planet.
Find out the 10 steps to organise a cleanup in our recent blog post, then check out our comprehensive ‘How to Organise a Cleanup’ guidelines on our World Cleanup Day Trello board.
You can always contact your country’s World Cleanup Day leader if you need any support. Find their contact details by searching for your country on our interactive map.
Don’t underestimate the power of your voice! Share the message of World Cleanup Day with your friends, family, and colleagues. By helping amplify the message of World Cleanup Day, you can create a ripple effect that extends far beyond 20 September, and drives lasting change for people and planet. Here’s how:
Together, we can make a difference. Join us to “Make Room for Life” this 20 September, as part of our global movement for a clean and healthy, waste-free world!
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