Hi,

The world is in a dire waste crisis. Far too often, what we consume and purchase ends up in landfills or the natural environment. And plastic exacerbates our pollution crisis—research estimates that 90% of all plastic ever produced has not been recycled.

To take a stand against out-of-control waste, Earth Day Network launched the Great Global Cleanup™. Last year, we coordinated over 5,000 cleanups in the US, Canada and India. For the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this year, the Great Global Cleanup™ has expanded worldwide.

We are aiming for 100,000 cleanups worldwide and need your help!

But let’s be real: cleaning up just for one day isn’t going to solve the challenge we all face. Cleanups are about so much more than just the act of collecting discarded waste. They’re about joining forces with people of all ages and backgrounds and letting our elected officials know that we demand a transition to a circular and sustainable economy.

To learn more about the Great Global Cleanup™, check out our recent articles below.

Together, we can make 2020 the year we changed the direction of our planet for the better.

In trash solidarity,

Austin Downs
Great Global Cleanup Coordinator

Welcome to the Great Global Cleanup™ With partners across the nation and the globe, we’re building Earth’s largest cleanup crew. Be part of the largest environmental volunteer event in history!

Find a Cleanup and Make a Difference Using our interactive map, you can search for Cleanups happening near you. Don’t see one in your community? Register your own!

Cleanup removes 10,000 kilograms of waste from River Ganga Pollution is killing many fish and aquatic life and damaging crops grown with irrigation from the River Ganga. As part of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Earth Day Network–India launched the landmark citizen-led cleanup of the river, collecting more than 10,000 kilograms of waste.

Federal plastic pollution bill holds companies accountable The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act was recently introduced to Congress, the country’s first bill that aims to reduce the use, production and distribution of single-use plastics. One notable aspect of the bill: it pushes responsibility for plastic onto plastic producers and distributors.

A third of the US has laws preventing plastic bans Like climate change, when it comes to plastic bans, we have the solutions, but often we lack the political will or financial incentives to make these solutions happen. And like climate change, the more we delay, the worse it will be for our oceans, our health and our pristine landscapes.

5 takeaways from the Let’s Do It World Conference 2020 Representatives from Earth Day Network and National Cleanup Day attended the Let’s Do It World Conference in Tallinn, Estonia, to strengthen their partnership before the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2020, and World Cleanup Day on September 19, 2020.