World Cleanup Day

World Cleanup Day
Date(s) September 15, 2018 (2018-09-15)
Frequency Annually
Location(s) Worldwide
Years active 10
Previous event 2012 World Cleanup Day
Next event 2018 World Cleanup Day
Participants 5% of world population (380,000,000) (goal)
Budget ~$30 million
Website www.worldcleanupday.org

World Cleanup Day (also known as WCD) is a global social action program aimed at combating the global solid waste problem, including the problem of marine debris. The first World Cleanup Day was September 15, 2018, beginning at 10 a.m., and spanning the world's time zones until concluding near the international date line in Hawaii.

Purpose

World Cleanup Day is held over the course of a 24-hour period, usually in mid-September. There are numerous organizations that facilitate and host World Cleanup Day events globally. Like Earth Day, World Cleanup Day is non-partisan, apolitical, and is not affiliated with any national or global political party or discrete ideology.[1]

History

Global cleanup efforts have existed in many forms throughout human history, especially after widespread catastrophes such as earthquakes, floods, and powerful tsunamis.[2]

In modern history, these efforts are typically undertaken by the affected communities, with support from various international organizations and NGOs, such as Red Cross, Oxfam, and other relief organizations but typically in post-conflict zones. They have included efforts to remove land mines, beach cleanup, and other municipal and non-governmental actions.

Organizers

World Cleanup Day is a decentralized network, made of different grassroots efforts. One of the largest organizers of global cleanup efforts is Let's Do It! World. Founded in Estonia, the organization successfully mobilized more than 50,000 volunteers for a single-day, country-wide cleanup effort that resulted in the elimination of 10,000 tons of illegal waste. The Estonian action, called Let's Do It 2008 emerged as a global model, spreading globally thereafter. Today, the movement has grown into a network of 150 countries. All together, more than 14.5 million participants have been engaged in the movement's activities.

Participants

Participants in World Cleanup Days are typically volunteers, with coordination from non-governmental organizations who assist in awareness-raising, logistics, and fundraising.

List of World Cleanup Days

  • Let's Do It 2008
  • World Cleanup Day 2018 (September 15, 2018) with the goal of engaging 5% of the world's population in a one-day cleanup.[3][4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "[http://www.thejournal.ie/world-cleanup-day-ireland-4224661-Sep2018/ 'Communities will be united': Groups around Ireland to take part in World Cleanup Day". The Journal. September 9, 2018.
  2. ↑ "After the 2004 tsunami: rebuilding lives, salvaging communities". The Guardian. December 23, 2009.
  3. ↑ "World Cleanup Day 2018: Organization Information". Let's Do It Foundation.
  4. ↑ "World Cleanup Day 2018: Let's Do It World". Let's Do It Foundation.
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