In 2023, 19.1 million people from 198 countries and territories participated in World Cleanup Day, collecting 219 tons of waste. The United Nations recently added the event to its calendar of international days, and organisers hope this will attract even more participants. Between 2018 and 2023, participants have collected an impressive 534,704 tons of waste. The purpose of World Cleanup Day is to reclaim 'spaces for life to thrive, free from the pollution that threatens our natural resources and global wellbeing'. Organisers want it to be a catalyst for changing how we all view and manage waste, as by 2050, there's expected to be a 70% increase globally. This year's campaign slogan is 'Make room for life' and is a call to action to combat rising waste levels polluting our environment. If you'd like to participate, you can join an event in your area or create your own. It could be a great opportunity for corporate sustainability. Litter picking can be a great team-building exercise and shows community action, which you could also turn into positive marketing. If you work with children, this is an excellent opportunity to introduce them to some of the issues caused by excessive waste. You'll find many resources for children and adults on the official World Cleanup Day website. Keeping local areas free from waste doesn't have only to happen on World Clean Up Day. Is there somewhere that you can go and tidy up? Are there any local groups already doing it that you could join? You may need permission. The Earth Day website has lots of information on what you should consider, including supplies and insurance. Getting in touch with your local council can be helpful because they may be able to provide items for you. You can do lots in the workplace too. Recycling might not be the most fascinating subject, but it is important. This may be the time to start integrating recycling into office policy. Sustainability often goes together with efficiency, saving companies money in the long run. Research suggests that employees are likelier to work for a company with a sustainability policy. If you're interested in recycling human power, you can learn more about the ECO:POD, which uses electricity-generating indoor bikes inside a self-contained area on the office floor. If you're not able to participate in World Cleanup Day 2024, then you can always share helpful information on social media and educate yourself and others about the importance of sustainable waste management.