Clean Up Australia Day is an annual event celebrated on the first Sunday of March as part of Australia’s efforts to preserve the environment; this year’s Clean Up Australia Day is on March 5. The objective is to motivate and empower communities to clean up parks, bushland, water reserves, and other areas of Australia. Residents, schools, individuals, communities, and businesses have volunteered in the thousands to remove plastic and glass for more than three decades. Equal emphasis is placed on waste prevention and waste removal from the environment. Let’s put on our cleaning shoes and learn more about the largest community-based environmental event in Australia.
The background of Clean Up Australia Day
Clean Up Australia Day, the largest community-based environmental event, has existed since 1990. After achieving his lifelong goal of circumnavigating the globe, founder Ian Kiernan had a simple plan to make a difference in Sydney Harbour. His yacht, “Spirit of Sydney,” competed in the BOC Challenge Solo Round-the-World Yacht Race. During this journey, he was exposed to and appalled by the constant pollution and trash he encountered in certain areas.
Upon his return, he began to make concerted efforts to clean up Australia. In 1989, he organised a community event called Clean Up Sydney Harbour with the help of his friends. More than 40,000 people attended and volunteered their time and energy to the environmental effort, demonstrating a tremendous amount of public support.
Clean Up Australia was founded the following year on the belief that if Sydney residents could be mobilised into action, so could the rest of Australia. In 1990, nearly 300,000 individuals participated in the inaugural Clean Up Australia Day. People have spent the last three decades helping to collect and remove trash from their environments. Clean Up Australia gained the support of the United Nations Environment Programme in 1993 to make their concept a global initiative, resulting in the creation of Clean Up the World Day, which has involved approximately 80 million people in 80 countries.
Cinco de Marcho 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities
5 NECESSITIES FOR PICKING UP TRASH
Always wear gloves when picking up trash, especially when removing sharp objects such as glass.
Keep your phone charged and on you at all times in case of an emergency.
These trash bags are extremely useful and do not contribute to the environmental waste that is being cleaned up.
As there may be sharp objects to pick up along the paths, it is essential to wear closed and covered footwear.
A wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, antibacterial hand sanitizer, a first-aid kit, and water bottles are additional items to bring along.
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2022 | March 6 | Sunday |
2023 | March 5 | Sunday |
2024 | March 3 | Sunday |
2025 | March 2 | Sunday |
2026 | March 1 | Sunday |