On World Cleanup Day, organised on 20 September, people across the world will come together for a waste-free environment. World Cleanup Day is celebrated every year. This year’s focus is on textile and fashion waste.
Now listed on the United Nations International Calendar, this initiative began back in 2008 when Estonian citizens gathered litter because they believed in the power of collective action. Throughout the years the movement grew, and now 114 million people from 211 countries and territories have participated! [1]
You can get involved too this year. Not sure if you can make an impact? Remember this: it takes 5% of the worlds’ population for societal change to happen. [1] Spread the message by talking about World Cleanup Day around you and by using the hashtags #WorldCleanupDay and #LeaveNoWasteBehind.
As you may recall from our Map of the Week on Marine Litter, there are many types of pollution. This year, the focus is on the 92 million tonnes of textile waste that is produced each year. [2] The interest in circular economy principles is growing, yet in 15 years’ time the durability of clothing decreased by an alarming 36%, and in 2023 recycled fibers made up only 8% of the production.[2]
That is why this week we chose a map that shows seabed litter categories, including textiles, and their percentage per year (results from 2007 to 2021). The map colours light blue from the many places where ‘artificial polymer materials’ form the main bulk of seabed litter.
The wearing and washing of textiles made from synthetic (plastic) fibers is one recognised source of microplastics in the environment. [3]
In Europe the textile and fashion crisis does not go unnoticed. The plan to achieve a circular economy by 2050 intends to reduce textile waste, and increase lifecycles and recycling.[4] In the near term, the EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles aims to ensure that textile products on the European Union (EU) market are long-lived, recyclable, and made from recycled and safe materials by 2030.[5]
On World Cleanup Day, clean-up activities will aim to collect all sorts of litter and to raise awareness on waste prevention. Many projects across Europe address this topic throughout the year. For example, the Plastic Pirates’ mission is to capture plastics on river banks and near water bodies in Europe, while at the same time collecting data and visualising it on their interactive Plastic Pirates Map. Filter the Future is a project by a Young Ocean Advocate that tackles cigarette butts’ pollution in Europe. Both projects are members of the EU4Ocean Coalition, an active network of organisations, initiatives and people who join forces for ocean literacy in Europe. The EU4Ocean Coalition recently launched several Thematic Networking Groups, including one on Plastic Pollution!
Wish to get involved? Below are a few things that you can do for a waste-free environment.
Read more about the impact of textile production and waste on the environment in Europe.
Reduce your contribution to waste. Start by calculating how much plastics you consume and discard every year with the Plastic Calculator.
Aim to buy products with a long durability and avoid single-use products. To help consumers make sustainable choices, the European Union launched the EU Ecolabel. Browse the EU Ecolabel Product Catalogue to make well informed decisions!
Participate in the #MakeEUBlue ‘Cities In Action’ campaign by signing the petition on the #MakeEUBlue webpage! The campaign has reached 8,492 signatures so far. Help the partners reach 10,000 signatures!
You can also participate in events across Europe.
On 20 September 2025, as part of the ‘#MakeEUBlue: Cities in Action Campaign’, people will gather together for the Oostende Beach Clean-Up (Belgium). If you are able to join, make sure to register.
On the same day, the EU4Ocean Coalition for ocean literacy will be at the Brussels Clean Festival (Belgium). Come by to listen to the fascinating sounds of the ocean and discuss issues related to marine litter.
Not in Belgium? Check out the #EUBeachCleanup Campaign 2025 website! The #EUBeachCleanup Campaign 2025 is a global campaign for a clean, plastic-free ocean organised by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the European External Action Service and the United Nations, in partnership with the Smurfs. The campaign takes place on 20 September 2025, but every event taking place between 3 June and 31 October 2025 counts!
Have a look at the many actions organised by River Cleanup on 20 September 2025.
All the best to all taking part in the planned activities, and congratulations in all your efforts for a clean and healthy planet!
The data in the map is provided by EMODnet.