Press Release

Millions of Volunteers from Over 190 Countries Participated in World Cleanup Day 2021

Washington, D.C. — This year’s commemoration of World Cleanup Day, led and coordinated by Let’s Do It World, engaged millions of people from 191 countries to get out and clean their communities and natural lands. This global effort, in partnership with EARTHDAY.ORG, National CleanUp Day, and Keep America Beautiful, addressed the issue of mishandled waste around the planet. Participating individuals and groups safely cleaned up their neighborhoods, parks, beaches, rivers, forests and everywhere in-between.

“We did it again! Together with the network members of Let’s Do It World and our partners, we engaged millions of people from 191 countries and territories to our flagship campaign – World Cleanup Day. This mobilisation is very crucial as it enables us to engage and transform human habits, as well as to catalyze cooperation to work for sustainable solutions. Within four years we have engaged more than 60 million people globally to World Cleanup Day, this is done in collaboration with many organizations around the world. Not least of which are Let’s Do It World’s official representative National Cleanup Day and our global partner, EARTHDAY.ORG, who are engaged in our mutual cause,” says Heidi Solba, the President and Head of Network for Let’s Do It World.

Cleanups were organized around the world and with various different individuals and organizations. National CleanUp Day co-sponsored an event with Planet Oat at Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy in New York City, NY, USA. 

“What would the world be like if everyone picked up one piece of litter? Cleanups at the local level can have an impact felt across the world. This year, we saw a ton of small actions lead to huge impact with millions of people participating in cleanups. Cleanups are a great entry level activity to environmentalism and not only have a positive effect on nature but can be enjoyable as well. If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong!” said Steve Jewett, Founder and President, National CleanUp Day. 

“Each year, we see days of civic action like World Cleanup Day grow, with more individuals and groups getting involved to tackle mismanaged waste and plastic pollution. The goals of cleanups extend beyond one event or one day. I encourage everyone to set multiple days throughout the year to plan cleanups and keep waste management on their minds,” said Matthew Lefler, EARTHDAY.ORG’s The Great Global Cleanup Coordinator.

The U.S. Embassy in Tanzania partnered with local organizations and EARTHDAY.ORG to host a beach cleanup in Dar es Salaam.

Lauren McBroom, Management Associate and Sustainability Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam said, “World Clean Up Day 2021 highlights the importance of local partnerships. We are grateful for our event organizers, Nipe Fagio, and our host government for giving us the opportunity to come together to clean the beach, share best practices, and advocate on behalf of the environment.”

“Keep America Beautiful is proud to be a part of the impact of World Cleanup Day, when so many people and organizations – many of them part of our national affiliate network – come together in force for the betterment of our environment. September is a big month in bringing awareness to the importance of our planet’s health. Keep America Beautiful hosts TrashDash™, encouraging litter cleanup through plogging, and we had a tremendous turnout in planned and unplanned events throughout the US. In September, we also saw International Coastal Cleanup Day led by the Ocean Conservancy, where many of our coastal affiliates also participate. These designated days are integral as we continue to work towards cleaning and greening all communities,” said Helen Lowman, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful.

To honor the spirit of World Cleanup Day, people across the globe are encouraged to continue efforts and stay active in cleanups year-round. The Great Global Cleanup™ takes place in April each year and engages millions of volunteers in creating clean communities worldwide. 

To find a cleanup, register a new one, or learn more about EARTHDAY.ORG’s The Great Global Cleanup, please visit: https://www.earthday.org/campaign/cleanup/

About EARTHDAY.ORG:
EARTHDAY.ORG’s mission is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Growing out of the first Earth Day (1970), EARTHDAY.ORG is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 150,000 partners in nearly 192 countries to build environmental democracy. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. Learn more at earthday.org.

About National CleanUp Day:
National CleanUp Day is a call to action. National CleanUp Day is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to keeping our nation’s urban, rural, and outdoor public spaces free of litter and trash. This year’s National CleanUpDay is supported by the number one seller of oatmilk in the US, Planet Oat and a network of environmentally conscious partners. Learn more at nationalcleanupday.org.

About Keep America Beautiful:
Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful strives to End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green, and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by the work and passion of more than 650 Keep America Beautiful affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Learn more at kab.org.

About Let’s Do It World and World Cleanup Day:
Let’s Do It World (LDIW) is a global organization that unites more than 164 countries’ teams worldwide into the biggest active environmental networks combining their efforts for a waste free world. The World Cleanup Day is the biggest event organized by LDIW and during the last four worldwide cleanups have engaged more than 60 million people from over 190 countries. Let’s Do It World network addresses numerous global and regional projects to catalyze activities in countries for the circular economy as well as for zero waste. Learn more at worldcleanupday.org