World Cleanup Day occurs annually on the third Saturday of September. It’s a global movement involving millions collectively executing the largest waste collection in human history. In 2020, over 11 million people in 166 countries participated in this movement despite the challenges last year brought!
The Journey Towards Zero-Waste
World Cleanup Day began in Estonia in 2008 when 50,000 people came together to clean up the entire country in just five hours. As a result, this small country sparked a worldwide movement to save our planet and create a better home for future generations.
Let’s Do It World (LDIW) is the global organization that found and currently still organizes World Cleanup Day. They make up a network of over 180 countries! Their goal is to raise awareness of the mismanaged waste crisis by uniting communities from all walks of life to participate in cleanup events.
The Let’s Do It World organization has a few values they live by:
- Cooperation
- Positivity
- Ambition to Action
- Honesty
- Openness
- Fun
LDIW also created a guideline to help drive individuals and societies towards a zero-waste world.
This is one of the few days that, despite our differences, society can join together with one common goal = A clean and healthy waste-free planet.
How You Can Help
We’ve discussed plenty about World Cleanup Day, but I bet you didn’t know September is actually Cleanup Month; here are a few ways you can help:
- Contact your country leader if you want to participate in World Cleanup Day on a national level.
- Find a local cleanup event near you.
- Donate to non-profits that help sustainability efforts. Some of our favorites are:
- Sign up, join, or report a clean up near you on NationalCleanupDay.org
- Spread the word to friends and on social media. The first step towards change is awareness.
- Organize small cleanups with family and friends while still following CDC COVID guidelines.
- Take part in a digital cleanup.
If you are interested in getting involved, you can visit the World Cleanup Day website for more ideas!
As a partner with Earth Charter, we always try to live out the principles they preach. The second pillar of The Earth Charter promotes Ecological Integrity with four principles that focus on protecting our planet, preventing harm, and spreading knowledge on ecological sustainability. And although COVID restrictions have prevented us from gathering together, many in the company continue to live sustainably, participate in cleanups, and volunteer on their own time to help #savetheplant. Happy Cleanup month, everyone!
