If you didn’t know, after this blog you will. There is a World Clean-Up Day. When you first hear of the day, you may jump to conclusions and think that this day is simply a day where everyone cleans up. Wrong thought but somewhat close to exactly what it is about. The World Cleanup Day is an annual global social action program aimed at combating the global mismanaged waste crisis. I know this is not a day you expected to add to the events on your calendar, however, if you are looking to do so, it is scheduled on the 16th of September 2023 and run by Let’s Do It World NGO with a vision of a clean and healthy planet. The journey to this day was not an easy one and it is only befitting that we share their journey here. Here is a step-by-step narration of how World Clean-up Day came into existence.
The latest steps in this journey have seen a series of side events coinciding with the UN-Habitat General Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, held from June 5th to 9th. These events were curated to resonate with the global community, showcasing the power of World Cleanup Day to transform environments and inspire minds.
On June 4th, the first of the events unfolded as Let’s Do It Kenya joined together with the Nairobi City County Government for a clean-up and celebration at Uhuru Park. With UN delegates and volunteers taking part, the event merged cleanup activities with awareness campaigns and tree planting. This combination of hands-on action and awareness-raising underlined the importance of tackling waste pollution.
June 8th saw a panel discussion take place, co-hosted by the Ministry of the Environment of Estonia and Let’s Do It World NGO. Held during the UN Habitat General Assembly, this event brought together expert voices—including Mr. Kaupo Heinma, Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of the Environment Estonia, and H.E. Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of UN-Habitat—to deliberate on the importance of World Cleanup Day within the context of broader environmental goals.
July 12th brought the hosting of the side event “Waste Wise Cities: Mobilizing 1000 Cities through cleanup activities to Achieve SDG 11.6.1”, during the High-level Political Forum (HLPF). Co-organized by the Estonian government and UN-Habitat, this event highlighted World Cleanup Day’s alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 11.6.1—a testament to the movement’s ambition and impact.
On July 15th, a UN HLPF Cleanup took place at Hunters Point Park South in New York. Organized by Let’s Do It World, this event joined forces with National Cleanup Day and New York’s talented artists. By converging artistic expression with collective action, this event represented the global movement’s power to harness culture to inspire change.
The recommendation to proclaim September 20th as a day of global action in the fight against waste and pollution signifies a watershed moment for World Cleanup Day and its global movement of tireless change-makers. This recognition on the UN Calendar will amplify the network’s reach and therefore its power to make an impact.
Credit attributed to www.worldcleanupday.org
“World Cleanup Day: A global reminder that the collective power of small actions can make our planet cleaner, greener, and more beautiful.”
– Unknown