World Cleanup Day Date in the current year: September 20, 2024

Group cleanup efforts have existed throughout human history, especially after floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters affecting large communities. In the modern world, such efforts are usually undertaken by the affected communities with the support from various local, regional, national, and international organizations. Today, they are not necessarily linked to disasters; cleanups have become a common form of environmental volunteering where people pick up and appropriately dispose of litter in various public spaces.

World Cleanup Day was launched by Let’s Do It! World, an Estonia-based global civic organization that mobilizes people worldwide to join clean-up events. Let’s Do It! World organized its first international event, a series of cleanups named World Cleanup, in 2012, and officially inaugurated World Cleanup Day in September 2018. The first World Cleanup Day event had 18 million participants worldwide.

Over the next few years, World Cleanup Day was held annually on the third Saturday of September to raise awareness of the global waste crisis and encourage individuals, organizations, and businesses around the globe to participate in cleanup activities in order to collectively make our world a better place.

In December 2023, the United Nations General Assembly officially supported the initiative by designating September 20 as World Cleanup Day. The inaugural event was held on September 20, 2024 and focused on marine debris cleanup in Arctic cities, which face unique challenges due too their isolation, extreme weather, and costly infrastructure. It took place in the Norwegian municipality of Tromsø, showcasing Norway’s innovative waste management strategies.

One of the main goals of World Cleanup Day is to highlight the importance of community involvement, collaboration, and innovation in reducing global waste. Even though professional cleanups and proper funding are crucial to keeping our cities and towns clean, the importance of community cleanups should not be underestimated because they remind us of the collective responsibility we all share in maintaining a clean and healthy environment. Cleanups are about more than just picking up trash; they are about everyone contributing to making our world a cleaner and better place because they can and want to help as part of their community.

World Cleanup Day aims to engage 5% of the world’s population in cleanup activities. People from every nation, all levels of society and all sectors are invited to join cleanup efforts by participating in one of the events listed on the World Cleanup Day website, organizing a cleanup of their own, or both. If you cannot participate in a cleanup, you can get involved with the cause by donating to Let’s Do It! World or any other non-profit organization that tackles the global mismanaged waste crisis. And don’t forget to spread the word about the campaign by posting on social media with the hashtag #WorldCleanupDay.