What’s World Beach Cleanup Day?

World Cleanup Day brings people together around a simple but powerful idea: protecting the environment begins with collective action.

Every year, communities, volunteers, businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, and governments participate in cleanup activities that address litter and waste pollution and raise awareness about responsible consumption and waste management.

The United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed September 20 as World Cleanup Day through Resolution 78/122, adopted on December 8, 2023. For those wishing to participate, there are several ways to get involved, such as:

• Join a Local Event: Look for local environmental groups or municipal programs organizing waterfront cleanups in your region.
• Track Your Trash: Use a trash-tracking app to record the types of waste collected and contribute to scientific research.
• Clean Inland Waters: Remember that inland rivers, lakes, and streams eventually feed into the ocean, meaning localized cleanup far from a coast still protects marine health.

Millions of volunteers across many countries participate to pick up waste and log items to make Earth a better place.

Why Do These Cleanups Matter?

Cleanups matter because they’re effective. Specialists say that coordinated community cleanups are essential for boosting tourism and local economies, safeguarding wildlife, and increasing public awareness about the importance of managing our waste responsibly.

Participation can also have a positive effect on students, giving them an engaging opportunity to help reduce waste. 

Every community has distinct needs, and understanding local waste-management challenges can create opportunities to collaborate with local and regional groups while encouraging community members to participate in cleanup activities. Some advantages of cleanups are:

• A community cleanup fosters pride and empowers those involved.
• Cleanups can help counter feelings of despair and powerlessness while encouraging more sustainable lifestyles.
• They are an accessible activity, and anyone can participate and make a difference.
• Cleanups can strengthen participants’ sense of pride and connection to their community.
• They can improve the well-being of local ecosystems and community members. Significant amounts of waste can create unhealthy environments that may pose risks to human health.
• Cleanup initiatives can act as a catalyst for additional community projects or events.

Besides the obvious benefits, a cleanup can foster a sense of community among participants while improving the local environment.

The Relevance of World Cleanup Day

World Cleanup Day is a distinctive event that brings together millions of volunteers, governments, and organizations across hundreds of countries to address the worldwide waste issue and create a new, sustainable future.

It represents a goal that transcends borders and cultural differences. In 2018, over 17.6 million people participated, followed by 21.2 million in 2019, creating an extraordinary 36-hour green wave of cleanups worldwide, from New Zealand to Hawaii.

Its charm is rooted in many of the same principles societies strive for, such as teamwork and partnership. The communal aspect of World Cleanup Day fosters connections among varied communities and encompasses every sector of society, from individuals to companies to governmental bodies.

Participating in community cleanups is an effective way to help create a cleaner, more sustainable environment. Anyone who collaborates with community members and local organizations can make a significant difference in the places people visit.

How Big Is the Event?

It extends to almost every part of the globe, from Arctic coastal areas to distant southern shorelines in the Southern Hemisphere, crossing language, cultural, and national boundaries. 

Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup has been engaging volunteers for more than four decades and has become one of the world’s largest volunteer efforts to address marine debris.

Since 1986, Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) has grown from a local effort into a worldwide movement, with millions of volunteers contributing to efforts to address marine debris:

• Nearly 20 million volunteers worldwide have taken part in Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup since 1986.
• Volunteers conducting coastal cleanups have gathered over 400 million pounds of waste.
• In 2019, the International Coastal Cleanup set a Guinness World Record for having the “largest yearly coastal clean-up initiative.” The gathering united 943,195 volunteers from 116 nations, who collected 20,772,394 lb of waste from 24,456 mi of shoreline in just one day.
• Events have occurred annually since its inception, even during difficult periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic. That said, the 2020 cleanup was adapted to follow safety protocols.

The influence of this event is massive. Ocean Conservancy’s newest report presents findings from some of the latest cleanups:

• In 2024, 486,706 volunteers across more than 100 countries participated in the International Coastal Cleanup.
• Shoreline cleanup volunteers collected more than 7.4 million pounds of trash.
• Volunteers collected more than 17.8 million pieces of trash during the cleanup.

This day provides an excellent chance to engage in a worldwide environmental initiative, assist in a collective mission for healthier oceans, connect with others who share similar values, and inspire friends and family to participate as well.

At Paso Pacífico, we have managed Nicaragua’s participation in Ocean Conservancy’s annual ICC for over a decade to deal with the consequences of the global health situation that have also been reflected in the waste we are generating as a society.

The Importance of Beach Cleanups for Animals

The ocean, which covers more than 70% of Earth’s surface, plays a central role in the planet’s ecosystems. This extensive, interconnected system supports life both in the ocean and on land.

Beach and coastal cleanup initiatives are an important part of efforts to protect marine biodiversity.

Clean, healthy shores are important habitats for many marine and coastal species. Sea turtles, for instance, rely on pristine, sandy shores for laying eggs. Litter can interfere with nesting and can create deadly hazards for hatchlings attempting to reach the ocean.

Manta rays can ingest microplastics while filter-feeding in areas where plankton and plastic particles are present. 

Microplastic ingestion may pose physiological risks to manta rays, although the long-term effects are still being studied. They are not the sole marine animals impacted by pollution.

Things to Do to Avoid Polluting the Shores

The state of the environment makes it clear that this is the moment to act. Coastal and beach cleanups are essential, but are just the starting point.

Minimizing our dependence on single-use plastics, promoting sustainable fishing methods, and supporting policies that safeguard marine environments are ways we can help protect the health of our oceans.

Every individual has the ability to serve as a steward of the seas and a defender of oceanic creatures.

You can also participate in local beach cleanup activities arranged by organizations such as Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. No matter how small your actions may be, they can make a significant impact.

Conclusion

World Beach Cleanup Day is a great reminder that protecting our oceans and coastal ecosystems is a shared responsibility. Beach cleanups are more than just a way to remove trash; they bring communities together, protect wildlife, raise environmental awareness, and encourage more sustainable habits. Even small actions can contribute to meaningful change when people work together.

Whether you join a local cleanup, reduce your use of single-use plastics, or simply become more mindful of how your waste is managed, everyone has a role to play.

By turning collective action into an ongoing commitment, everyone can help keep beaches cleaner, protect marine life, and create healthier coastal environments for future generations. If you wish to participate, consider volunteering at Paso Pacifico to make beaches cleaner!