We’ve all seen the signs warning of fines for littering and heard the message about taking care of the planet. Yet, despite these reminders, a 2009 report found that 1 in 3 Canadians aged 18–24 still litter. With the rise in single-use plastics, it’s likely that this statistic has only worsened. Thankfully, there are still many ways that organizations and environmentally conscious individuals are stepping up to help. One way is to participate in World Cleanup Day, which takes place this year on September 20th.
A Little About World Cleanup Day
In December of 2023, the United Nations General Assembly officially named September 20th World Cleanup Day. This day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to preserve and maintain a clean and healthy environment, ensuring that it survives and thrives for future generations.
How to Participate
There’s no set playbook for getting involved in World Cleanup Day, but what matters is that you participate—whether it’s in a big way or small. Start by checking if any local cleanup activities are happening near you. A great place to look is the events section of World Cleanup Day’s website, where events are listed by country. If nothing is planned in your area, it’s a great opportunity to take the initiative, organize your own event, and potentially inspire others to join the cause.
If you want to take it one step further, you could present this idea in your workplace to help inspire your organization to provide a helping hand and encourage their other staff members to become involved.
No matter the size of your actions, every one counts in making our planet a cleaner, healthier place. By participating in World Cleanup Day, you’re contributing to a global movement that helps protect our environment and raises awareness about the impact of waste. Whether you join an existing event or organize your own, your involvement can inspire others to do the same. Remember, there’s no planet B, so take care of the one we have!