By Obiabin Onukwugha and Faridat Salifu
The Day was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 8 December 2023 to raise awareness on the role of cleanup efforts in sustainable development.
As global waste continues to grow at an alarming rate, World Cleanup Day serves as a crucial reminder of the collective responsibility we all share in preserving the environment. Observed annually, the event unites millions of people around the world to participate in clean-up efforts, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable waste and resource management.
This year’s theme, “Arctic Cities and Marine Litter”, draws attention to the growing waste problem in both urban and remote environments, including the vulnerable Arctic region.
Over the years, volunteers, communities and governments have been undertaking activities globally to help clean the planet. The UN World Cleanup Day aims to highlight their contribution to preserving and maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), municipal solid waste generation is predicted to rise dramatically from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050, underscoring the scale of the crisis. Without swift action, the global cost of waste management could nearly double to an astonishing USD 640.3 billion by 2050.
Waste management, however, is more than an economic issue. Over two billion people still lack access to proper waste collection, and more than three billion live without safe waste recovery or disposal facilities, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Poor waste management is directly linked to three major global environmental crises: pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. As ecosystems across the planet face mounting threats, the need for coordinated global action becomes increasingly urgent.
“World Cleanup Day is not just about cleaning up waste; it’s about building momentum for long-term environmental sustainability,” say environmental experts. Participating in clean-up efforts is an important step towards achieving the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the drive to limit climate change and preserve biodiversity.
Clean-up campaigns before and during the International Day help combat the growing accumulation of waste in natural ecosystems. Marine litter, for example, poses severe risks to wildlife and human health, particularly as plastic waste infiltrates food chains. This year’s theme also highlights how Arctic cities, often overlooked in waste discussions, are affected by rising pollution levels that threaten both local communities and fragile ecosystems.
World Cleanup Day is a reminder that waste management cannot be ignored. Left unchecked, the pollution crisis will continue to accelerate, undermining the health of ecosystems and communities around the globe. Engaging in clean-ups not only helps address immediate pollution problems but also fosters a deeper understanding of the actions required to maintain a healthy, balanced planet for future generations.
This year, an inaugural event to mark the day is taking place on 20 September in the city of Tromsø, Norway. The event, convened with support from UN-Habitat, GRID-Arendal, and the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, the municipality of Tromsø, the Fram Centre, and Let’s Do It World, aims to inspire global communities to adopt sustainable practices that protect the arctic regions.
The event will highlight the role of innovation, community involvement, and collaboration in creating sustainable waste systems that protect the Arctic environment and contribute to global waste reduction efforts. It also emphasizes the importance of professional cleanups and innovative funding mechanisms in tackling waste management challenges in complex urban settings.
As the world moves closer to critical climate and environmental tipping points, participation in events like World Cleanup Day offers a powerful opportunity to take direct action. Through collective efforts, individuals can help reduce waste, protect natural habitats, and contribute to a more sustainable, cleaner world.