About World Cleanup Day
World Cleanup Day is one of the largest civic movements of our time, mobilizing millions across continents to tackle the mounting global waste crisis. Its roots trace back to Estonia in 2008, when 50,000 citizens came together to remove over 10,000 tons of illegal waste in just one day. This inspiring act sparked the birth of Let’s Do It World, the organization now coordinating annual cleanups in over 190 countries.
Since its global debut in 2018, World Cleanup Day has continued to grow in scale and significance. In 2024, the movement achieved a historic milestone, its first recognition as a United Nations International Day. That year, millions of people from 191 countries joined forces, proving that environmental action can transcend borders, politics, and cultures. In 2025, the global cleanup will take place on September 20, continuing its mission to unite communities for cleaner, healthier environments.
2025 Theme and Goals
The 2025 campaign carries the slogan “Strive for Five”, urging communities to mobilize at least 5% of their populations. Research indicates that this percentage marks the tipping point necessary to drive systemic societal and environmental change.
This year’s focus highlights one of the most pressing yet under-discussed waste issues: the pollution caused by the fashion and textile industry. Globally, an estimated 92 million tonnes of textiles are discarded annually, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothes being dumped every second. Addressing textile waste is closely tied to promoting sustainable consumption and transitioning toward circular economies.
World Cleanup Day directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 15: Life on Land
By aligning grassroots cleanups with these global frameworks, the movement not only removes waste but also pushes governments and businesses toward lasting policy change.
Global Impact
The numbers tell a powerful story of collective action:
- In 2022, over 15 million volunteers worldwide removed 60,000 tons of waste, contributing more than 30 million volunteer hours.
- In 2024, participation expanded to 191 countries, covering 90% of all UN member states.
From small island nations to bustling megacities, volunteers braved challenges to clear streets, forests, and waterways of plastic, electronics, household waste, and industrial debris.
The Digital Cleanup Day initiative encourages people to declutter their digital spaces, which indirectly reduces carbon emissions linked to data storage. In 2025, over 540,000 participants deleted 2.3 million gigabytes of unnecessary files, resulting in a reduction of approximately 575 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
Spotlight on Nigeria and Africa
In Africa, the day is urgent. Nigeria, for example, generates over 2 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, much of it ending up in waterways, landfills, or the open environment.
Grassroots groups, such as SustyVibes and the Centre for Water and Environment Development (CWED), have been instrumental in mobilizing citizens. Despite challenges such as poor infrastructure, heavy rainfall, and limited resources, Nigerian volunteers consistently show resilience. In 2023, major cleanups in Lagos and Kaduna resulted in markets, neighborhoods, and riverbanks being cleared of plastic and other waste.
Across the continent, local governments, schools, NGOs, and eco-startups collaborate to raise awareness and inspire action. Youth activism especially shines—turning waste into art, launching recycling businesses, and leading education campaigns that reshape community attitudes.
Why It Matters in 2025
Waste is a global crisis tied directly to climate change, biodiversity loss, and public health. Plastic and textile waste leach toxins into soil and water, choke marine life, and clog urban drainage systems, worsening flooding.
World Cleanup Day matters because it proves that people power can spark systemic change. By gathering even a small critical mass, communities reclaim ownership of their environments while demanding accountability from industries and policymakers.
How to Get Involved
Everyone has a role to play:
- Individuals & Communities: Join or host cleanup drives, share stories online, and adopt waste-reducing habits.
- Schools & Youth Groups: Organize student cleanups, recycling projects, or creative “art from waste” exhibitions.
- Businesses: Sponsor cleanups, volunteer staff, or implement better internal waste policies.
- Digital Participants: Take part in Digital Cleanup Day by deleting unused apps, emails, and files.
To officially join, events and volunteers can register through worldcleanupday.org.
Closing Thoughts
World Cleanup Day 2025 is about hope, unity, and responsibility. Whether you’re clearing plastics from a riverbank in Nigeria, reducing textile waste in Europe, or deleting digital clutter at home, your action contributes to a cleaner and healthier planet.
As Let’s Do It World President Heidi Solba reminds us: “Striving for five percent participation unlocks the power of collective action for lasting change.” On September 20, 2025, let’s rise together to leave a legacy of clean, thriving communities for generations to come.
