Ready to roll up your sleeves, Australia!
This May, we’re celebrating Australia’s Great Autumn Clean-Up, and our calendar is jam-packed.
Whether you’re into beaches or forests, we’ve got you covered—from Bondi’s sandy shores to the lush Parramatta river, there’s an event for everyone. More of a city person? We’ve got you too—come transform our urban oases!
Picture the ultimate day of fun: laughter, high-fives, epic selfies, all while you’re doing something that actually matters. Hang out with friends and family and let’s make some Earth-saving memories!
Fun fact—over 21 million Aussies have already taken part in Clean Up Australia events in the past 30 years. Let’s add to that number and make it a legacy!
Check out dozens of fun and exciting events on our website to join a cleanup in your area!
History's Fun Bits
Australia’s Great Spring Clean-Up is part of the big World Clean-Up Day movement and has a fascinating history. It started with a single cleanup event in Estonia in 2008 and evolved into a global movement.
Let’s Do It Estonia : Back in 2008, a group of Estonian environmental activists initiated a country-wide cleanup campaign called “Let’s Do It 2008” .
Success in Estonia: The cleanup campaign was an outstanding success, far surpassing its initial goals. The volunteers managed to remove a staggering 10,000 tons of illegal waste from forests, parks, roadsides, and other areas across the country, an equivalent of enough to fill more than 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
Global Inspiration : Since then, World Cleanup Day has been celebrated annually on the third Saturday of September, with 20 millions of volunteers participating in cleanup activities across approximately 190 countries.
The 2023 cleanup resulted in the collection of 60 000 tons of waste was gathered by volunteers donating 30 million hours in just one day. It’s comparable to the weight of about 10,000 cars, parked in a gigantic parking lot!
Now celebrated on the third Saturday of September and spanning two months, it’s become one of the largest civic actions around, involving 180 countries and millions of people. During the events, volunteers clean up beaches, rivers, forests, and streets.
In Australia, the enthusiasm is just as strong. People come together not just to clean but also to educate and inspire. The day is as much about community as it is about conservation. Clean Up Australia, founded by sailor Ian Kiernan and Kim McKay, has been a driving force behind the celebrations, demonstrating that even small actions can have a lasting impact.
Discover Your Cleanup Adventure: Where to Participate in Australia's Clean Up day?
- Parks and Reserves: Many volunteers gather in local parks and nature reserves to pick up litter and waste, ensuring these natural spaces remain clean and enjoyable for everyone.
- Beaches: Cleaning up beaches is a significant focus in Australia, as it helps protect marine life and maintain the beauty of coastal areas.
- Rivers and Waterways: Volunteers often target rivers, streams, and waterways, preventing waste from entering the ocean and safeguarding freshwater ecosystems.
- Streets and Roadside Areas: Cleaning up streets and roadside areas helps maintain the beauty of urban environments and prevents litter from polluting nearby natural habitats.
- Schools: Schools play an essential role in Clean Up Day activities. Students and teachers often organize cleanup events within their school grounds and nearby areas.
- Community Events: Many local communities and councils host Clean Up Day events in designated locations, bringing people together for a collective cleanup effort.
- Residential Areas: Residents may organize small cleanup initiatives in their neighborhoods, promoting a sense of community and pride in their surroundings.
Check out dozens of fun and exciting events on our website to join a cleanup in your area or organise one with your school, business, or community !
So, are you up for making some eco-friendly magic happen?