Overview

On 8 December 2023, the United Nations General Assembly, in its seventy-eighth session, unanimously adopted resolution 78/122 “World Cleanup Day”, which proclaims 20 September as World Cleanup Day. 

The resolution invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, other international and regional organizations, and other relevant stakeholders – including civil society, the private sector and academia – to observe World Cleanup Day through activities aimed at raising awareness of the role clean-up efforts play in sustainable development. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) facilitates the observance of the Day.

Over the years, many national, regional and local governments and communities have been undertaking clean-up activities globally. World Cleanup Day represents the reflection on their achievements. The clean-ups serve as a reminder of the collective responsibility we share in preserving and maintaining a clean and healthy environment as well as sustainable waste and resources management.  

Statement on World Cleanup Day 2024

Statement by the Executive Director of UN-Habitat

World Cleanup Day 2024: Arctic Cities and Marine Litter

The theme of the inaugural event, taking place on 20 September in the city of Tromsø, Norway, is “Arctic Cities and Marine Litter”. 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 Arctic’s delicate ecosystem necessitates focused efforts on plastic and marine litter clean-up. Cities like Tromsø, within the Arctic Circle, face unique challenges due to extreme weather, isolation, and costly infrastructure.

The inaugural World Cleanup Day in Tromsø will showcase Norway’s innovative waste management strategies tailored to harsh climates. 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 will also emphasize the importance of professional cleanups and innovative funding mechanisms in tackling waste management challenges in complex urban settings.

Event map

To celebrate the inaugural World Cleanup Day, Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, civil society, the private sector, academia, youth and other partners from around the world are invited to organize national, subnational, local and neighbourhood activities and events, including creative exhibits, panel discussions, social media campaigns, training sessions and cleanup activities. 

Poor waste management is intrinsically linked to the triple planetary crisis: pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change. Combined, the world is greatly accelerating an accumulation of waste and pollution in all ecosystems and threatening ecosystems' balances and health.   

Promoting clean-ups in the lead up to and through the international Day is crucial for contributing to the achievement of the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

Find events near you and join the World Cleanup Day movement by exploring the interactive map below.

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