World Environment Day: What’s At Stake, and What’s Next?
Michael Karapetian June 5, 2025
Learn how EARTHDAY.ORG is empowering people to act where global leaders fall short.
Join The Great Global Cleanup
What is The Great Global Cleanup?
The Great Global Cleanup aims to rid the world of waste and plastic pollution for good through connecting the powerful Global Cleanup Movement. Plastic pollution is a crisis—one that demands systemic change, not just the cleanups we do every day. While we take action to protect our communities and loved ones, we need real commitments from leaders, businesses, and policymakers to stop the endless wave of pollution that we end up picking up.
EARTHDAY.ORG (EDO) calls on governments, businesses, and communities to step up. A waste-free world starts with you—whether that means organizing a cleanup, pushing for legislation, or demanding corporate and governmental responsibility.
Join The Great Global Cleanup today. Be part of the global cleanup movement that refuses to accept pollution as the norm. We don’t just clean—we fight for a world where cleanups are no longer necessary.
Get Involved
The Great Global Cleanup Toolkit
Global Cleanup Events
Navigate the EARTHDAY.ORG ‘Global Map of Events’ to effortlessly register your cleanup or discover nearby initiatives – simply input your location and explore a world of impactful opportunities.
Click the points on the web map to learn more about the events going on around the world. Use the search bar to zoom in and see events near you.
Environmental Justice & Creating Lasting Change
The Great Global Cleanup is more than just doing cleanups—it’s about creating change. Plastic pollution and waste don’t affect all communities equally. Low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, and Indigenous lands are often burdened with the highest levels of plastic pollution which are linked to dangerous health impacts, including fertility issues, dementia, and cancer. This is environmental injustice, and it’s fueled by systemic neglect and corporate irresponsibility.
Every cleanup highlights the need for policies that hold polluters accountable and protect human health. When we clean, we’re not just restoring our environment; we’re fighting for our right to a waste-free world. This Earth Day, get your communities and volunteers involved by using our resources here:
Gallery
Great Global Cleanup Resources
DIARY FROM A GREAT CLEANUP – YEREVAN, ARMENIA
My Green Pod - Earth Day 2024 Special Issue
Earth Day 2024 Report
Nominate yourself for the "IESA Earth Day Great Global Cleanup Heroes' Awards"
Great Global Cleanup Articles
A Different Kind of Earth Day – Lessons from the Ground Up In Miami and Raleigh
Michael Karapetian May 9, 2025
Kick off International Day of Zero Waste with a sunny beach cleanup in Hollywood. FL.
A Rewarding Cleanup Topped Off with an Actual Award
Michael Karapetian April 7, 2025
Kick off International Day of Zero Waste with a sunny beach cleanup in Hollywood. FL.