Nairobi, 17 September 2022 (TDI): World Cleanup Day is being celebrated around the world today.
On the occasion, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reported that each year the world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste.
Happy #WorldCleanUpDay!
Each year the world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. People across the globe are coming together today to clean up the planet.
Join @letsdoitworld and #ActNow all year long: https://t.co/PKiOJKctAI#LetsDoItWorld pic.twitter.com/qoaizdqxSk
— UN Environment Programme (@UNEP) September 17, 2022
Although people have been coming together from across the globe to clean up the planet and save the environment, there is still a dire need for people to work more in this context.
World Cleanup Day
World Cleanup Day is the largest one-day civic initiative around the globe. Over 191 countries participate in this venture to address the global waste crisis. This initiative is a powerful and distinct movement that aims for a waste-free world.
On this day, typically connections are built between distinct communities in all spheres of the world. The day unites individuals, businesses as well as government organizations.
Since 2018, more than 60 million volunteers have participated in World Cleanup Day. Whereas, participation of 5% of the global population remains an unmet objective.
The movement spearheading the venture is in need of donations for helping them save the world and clean the atmosphere. For this 100% of the money raised is expected to be used to organize this day along with distinctive environmental initiatives across the globe.
World Cleanup Day uses the combined might of people from all over the world to make a difference. It helps to strengthen relationships between diverse populations. Likewise, it also involves all parts of society.
Global Waste Problem
Every year, a massive 2.01 billion tonnes of waste is dumped on the planet. If all of this garbage was loaded onto trucks, it would take them 24 times around the world.
Construction waste, industrial waste, and other waste are dumped on land or in the oceans along with waste from the home, plastic waste, electronic garbage, radiation waste, sewage, and waste from runoff (fertilizers, pesticides, and oil running off into groundwater, rivers, and oceans).
This astounding amount of waste is due in part to the fact that 99 percent of what is purchased is discarded within 6 months.
Unfortunately, over the years, the dumping of waste has become a way to “solve” the world’s massive waste problem. However, the world must come up with better ideas fast or it will spiral out of control.
Also read: UN observes International Day of Clean Air