| World Cleanup Day | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date(s) | 15 September 2018; 6 years ago (2018-09-15) |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Worldwide |
| Years active | 6 |
| Participants | (25000000) (2021) |
| Budget | ~$1 million |
| Website | www |
World Cleanup Day is a globalsocial action program aimed at combating the global solid waste problem, including the problem ofmarine debris. It is held annually on 20 September, and is coordinated by the global organizationLet's Do It! World, whose headquarters are located inTallinn, Estonia.[1]
World Cleanup Day includeslittercleanup and waste mapping activities spanning every time zone. Environmental cleanup events are held in nearly every country until concluding near the international date line inHawaii and AmericanSamoa. From 2024, World Cleanup Day has been declared an official UN holiday, and added to the official UN calendar of days and weeks.
World Cleanup Day aims to raise awareness of the mismanaged waste crisis by mobilizing all spheres of society to participate in cleanup actions. Individuals, governments, corporations and organizations are all encouraged to take part in cleanups and to find solutions to tackle mismanaged waste. There are numerous organizations that facilitate and host World Cleanup Day events globally. LikeEarth Day, World Cleanup Day is non-partisan, apolitical, and is not affiliated with any national or globalpolitical party or discreteideology.[2]
The inaugural World Cleanup Day was 15 September 2018, but it builds on the successes of previous global cleanup efforts. The goal of World Cleanup Day 2018 was to involve 5% of the world's population (or approximately 380 million people). While the effort fell short of the goal, it directly mobilized 18 million people worldwide.
The 2019 World Cleanup Day was held on the 19th of September and coincided withPeace Day and theGlobal climate strike of September 2019.
Global cleanup efforts have existed in many forms throughout human history, especially after widespread catastrophes such asearthquakes,floods, and powerfultsunamis.[3]
In modern history, these efforts are typically undertaken by the affected communities, with support from variousinternational organizations andNGOs, such asRed Cross,Oxfam, and otherrelief organizations but typically in post-conflict zones. They have included efforts to removeland mines,beach cleanups, and other municipal and non-governmental actions.
Since 2020 there also exists aDigital Cleanup Day. Initially known as Cyber World Cleanup Day, this day of action aims to draw attention to digital ecological footprints and the associated environmental impact.[4]
Participants in World Cleanup Days are typicallyvolunteers, with coordination fromnon-governmental organizations who assist in awareness-raising, logistics, and fundraising.
