WORLD CLEANUP DAY 2026 to Be Simultaneously Held in Over 190 Countries and Regions Worldwide

NPO WORLD CLEANUP DAY JAPAN, in collaboration with the Estonian NGO 'Let’s Do It World,' will host 'WORLD CLEANUP DAY 2026' in Japan on September 20, 2026, coinciding with the United Nations International Day 'WORLD CLEANUP DAY.'

WORLD CLEANUP DAY is one of the world’s largest citizen-led cleanup movements, simultaneously conducted in over 190 countries and regions. In Japan, the participation period will run from September 1 (Tuesday) to September 30 (Wednesday), 2026, centered around September 20, inviting individuals, companies, schools, local governments, NPOs, and community groups from across the country to join cleanup activities.

In 2026, WORLD CLEANUP DAY JAPAN aims to engage 50,000 participants across Japan.

Waste issues cannot be solved by one person alone. However, when each individual takes action in their local environment, and these actions spread to communities, companies, schools, and municipalities, they become a powerful social force.

'Pick up one piece, and you connect with the world.'

Through WORLD CLEANUP DAY 2026, we aim to expand the circle of cleanup activities from Japan to the world.

What is WORLD CLEANUP DAY?

WORLD CLEANUP DAY is an international cleanup initiative where people worldwide pick up trash on the same day to clean the planet for a beautiful Earth.

It began in 2008 in Estonia, Northern Europe. Nine young people launched a nationwide campaign to clean up forests overwhelmed by illegal dumping, naming their effort 'Let’s Do It 2008.' On that day, over 50,000 volunteers—about 5% of Estonia’s population—participated and collected more than 10,000 tons of illegally dumped waste in just five hours.

This success sparked a global movement: the idea that when 5% of a population unites in action, they can create transformative social change.

Since 2018, 'WORLD CLEANUP DAY' has been held annually on the same day across the globe, engaging millions. Furthermore, in December 2023, the United Nations General Assembly designated September 20 as the annual UN International Day 'WORLD CLEANUP DAY.'

Japan’s 2026 Goal: 50,000 Participants

WORLD CLEANUP DAY JAPAN aims to mobilize 50,000 participants in Japan in 2026. While clean streets are often taken for granted in Japan, significant amounts of litter still remain along roadsides, rivers, coastlines, parks, green spaces, and around stations.

For an island nation like Japan, marine debris is not a distant issue. Most ocean waste originates from land—cities and rivers—so local cleanup efforts directly contribute to protecting the seas.

In 2026, we will conduct cleanup activities nationwide together with corporations, schools, local governments, NPOs, community groups, and individuals, aiming for 50,000 participants across Japan.

Who Can Participate?

WORLD CLEANUP DAY 2026 is open to everyone.

Individuals, as well as companies, schools, local governments, NPOs, community groups, clubs, families, and friends, can participate regardless of size.

Organizations, companies, schools, and municipalities already conducting cleanup activities can align their existing events with the WORLD CLEANUP DAY period, register their participation, and connect their efforts to the global movement.

For those organizing a cleanup for the first time, WORLD CLEANUP DAY offers an accessible starting point.

Cleanup Schedule

Main Event Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026

For groups, companies, schools, local governments, or individuals unable to participate on the main day, activities conducted between September 1 (Tuesday) and September 30 (Wednesday), 2026, will be recognized as part of WORLD CLEANUP DAY 2026.

Activity Locations

Activities can be held anywhere across Japan.

Participants can join in their local areas—coastlines, rivers, parks, roadsides, around stations, schools, offices, stores, or designated community cleanup zones.

Activity locations will be listed on the 'Participating Areas' page of the official website and updated regularly.

Registration

Please register your participation via the WORLD CLEANUP DAY JAPAN official website.

Official Website: https://worldcleanupday.jp/

Registration Page: https://worldcleanupday.jp/join/

Information on registration through partner services will be announced on the official website and social media once details are finalized.

How to Participate

1. Register your participation

2. Decide on the date and location of your activity

3. Conduct the cleanup

4. Report the number of participants and the amount of waste collected after the event

※Reported data will be aggregated as Japan’s national contribution and shared through WORLD CLEANUP DAY JAPAN’s activity reports and official website.

For Corporations, Schools, and Local Governments

WORLD CLEANUP DAY can be utilized for CSR/ESG initiatives, SDGs education, inquiry-based learning, community contribution, internal communication, and citizen collaboration.

Companies can organize cleanups around headquarters, branches, stores, or factories, or as employee-led environmental actions.

Schools can integrate the event into environmental education, inquiry-based learning, or international understanding programs, helping students connect local and global environmental issues.

Local governments can link existing community cleanups or beautification campaigns with WORLD CLEANUP DAY, connecting local efforts to a global movement.

WORLD CLEANUP DAY JAPAN welcomes inquiries regarding participation, speaking engagements, event introductions, and media collaboration. Please feel free to contact us.

Official Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldCleanupDayJapan/

X: https://x.com/CleanupDayJapan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldcleanupdayjapan/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-cleanup-day-japan

Organization Overview

Organization Name: NPO WORLD CLEANUP DAY JAPAN

URL: https://worldcleanupday.jp/

Activities: Organizing and promoting the UN International Day 'WORLD CLEANUP DAY' in Japan

Representative: Takao Asai, Board Chair

Established: