Global municipal waste predicted to increase 73% by 2050 compared to 2020
Waste is a significant contributor to climate change and waste generation is linked to population growth and economic development. And nowhere is this seen more than in fast-growing cities. The World Bank estimates that every year approximately 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste are generated and at least 33% – extremely conservatively – is not managed in an environmentally safe manner? And this number is expected to grow to 3.40 billion tons by 2050, a 73% increase from 2020. This staggering statistic highlights the urgent need for people to start taking immediate action, and everyone needs to do their part to make a positive change: governments, cities, business executives, community leaders, and individuals like you!
But how can people make a positive change? While more than one-third of waste in high-income countries is recovered through recycling and composting, only 4% of waste in low-income countries is recycled1. This is why one small effort which has a big impact is banding together with other residents in your neighborhood to organize a community clean-up activity. By coming together as a community, not only can we create a cleaner and healthier environment for ourselves and future generations, but also foster a sense of unity, environmental consciousness, and help the planet by reducing the number of tons of municipal waste.
So, let's dive in and explore the steps required to organize a successful community clean-up.
Step 1: Identify target areas
Identify areas in your community that require immediate attention and have a significant impact on the neighborhood. Parks, beaches, riversides, streets, and public spaces are typical black spots for litter accumulation. Before you start cleaning up, obtain the necessary permits from local authorities and property owners while ensuring compliance with regulations and safety requirements.
Step 2: Form a dedicated team
Build a dedicated team of volunteers by reaching out to friends, neighbors, schools, local companies, and community organizations to gather like-minded individuals. Or alternatively find a clean-up team near you by joining environmental movements like EARTHDAY.ORG or sign up for clean-up activities hosted by local NGOs in your area.
If you are building your own team, allocate roles and responsibilities, including event coordination, promotion, logistics, and safety. Spread the word about the activity leveraging social media platforms and local channels to maximize participation.
Step 3: Plan logistics and things you need
Develop a detailed plan and think about the execution – we see trends that organizers are weaving in creative elements such as plogging (a combination of jogging with picking up litter) or social media challenges to create buzz and attract more volunteers. Reserve sufficient time for registration, briefings, and debriefing sessions and prepare a checklist of essential items such as gloves, trash bags, pickers, first aid kits and other necessary equipment.
Step 4: D-day!
On the day of the clean-up, gather all volunteers and provide instructions on waste handling and safety precautions. Assign teams to specific areas and encourage participants to separate recyclable waste from non-recyclable waste for proper disposal. After the waste has been picked up, depending on its nature, recycle or dispose it at transfer stations or recycle facilities. Contact recycling companies prior to the clean-up to make sure recyclable waste is treated in a proper way.
Step 5: Share and amplify the impact
Capture how much rubbish and recyclable waste you and your team have collected, or take a before-and-after photo to really highlight the progress and show how you are making a meaningful impact on the environment. Spread the word further by sharing event highlights on community websites and newsletters, tag influencers on social media platforms with hashtags, ask local schools and community centers to join next time or hold events to showcase the transformative power of community action. Inspire others to join your cause and start planning for the next one!
Organizing a community clean-up is just the start of our journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. Let’s take action today and create a long-lasting impact on our environment. The power to make a difference lies within each one of us.