Today marks an important milestone in the global effort to combat waste pollution—World Cleanup Day 2024. This annual event celebrated on September 20th, has evolved into the largest civic action for a cleaner planet. This year’s edition is particularly special, as it is the first time World Cleanup Day is officially recognized by the United Nations as an International Day, signalling the urgency of addressing the escalating waste crisis.
World Cleanup Day was created by the Estonian movement Let’s Do It! in 2008.
It started with a massive civic action in Estonia where over 50,000 volunteers came together to clean up 10,000 tons of waste in just five hours. This successful initiative inspired the creation of the global Let’s Do It World organization, which later launched World Cleanup Day.
Since its inception in 2018, World Cleanup Day has mobilized millions of people across over 190 countries. Last year alone, 19.1 million volunteers participated in cleaning up more than 218,000 tonnes of waste, demonstrating the power of collective action. This year, the stakes are even higher, with over two billion tonnes of waste being generated annually worldwide, much of which ends up polluting our oceans and ecosystems. Without immediate action, the global waste burden is projected to increase by 70% by 2050.
Make Room for Life
The theme for 2024 is “Make Room for Life,” which is a reminder that reducing waste is essential to preserving our planet for future generations. Participants today are tackling issues ranging from plastic waste in oceans to improper disposal in urban areas. Norway, with its focus on Arctic pollution, is hosting special events to highlight the damage waste inflicts on fragile ecosystems.
World Clean Up day 2024 – How to get involved
Getting involved is simple (whether you’re part of a large, organized cleanup or just picking up litter in your neighbourhood).
You can find local events or even organize your own through platforms like Let’s Do It World, which provides resources to help you get started. Participants are encouraged to share their success stories on social media using the hashtag #WorldCleanupDay2024, to further amplify the movement’s reach.
This day means much more than just picking up trash—it’s about raising awareness and inspiring systemic change. By uniting as global citizens, we can help reverse the damage caused by waste mismanagement. The simple act of picking up litter is part of a much larger movement toward creating a waste-free world.
Our Call to Action:
If you haven’t yet taken part in this year’s cleanup efforts, it’s not too late!
Grab a pair of gloves, a trash bag, and head outside. Every small action contributes to a larger global impact. Let’s work together to ensure that our communities—and our planet—remain clean and livable. Join this movement today, and help make every day a cleanup day. Together, we can create lasting change for a healthier, waste-free world.
Source: https://www.worldcleanupday.org/live