UN environment agency to mobilize millions of volunteers to clean up world sites

Some 35 million volunteers from 122 countries are expected take part this weekend in rubbish-clearing efforts at sites across the globe as part of the annual Clean Up the World Weekend, which is held in conjunction with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

“Clean Up the World mobilizes people around a powerful idea – taking the challenge of environment and sustainable development to our front doors, our backyards, and everywhere else around the globe,” said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner in a statement.

Volunteers will pick up trash on beaches, in villages and at various other sites around the world, among them Australia’s Sydney Harbour, the Nile River in Egypt, Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, and the Chinese city of Shaoxing.

Additionally, there will be environmental parades, and community implementation of recycling and educational programs, as well as water and energy conservation projects.

Since its launch in 1993, the Clean Up the World Weekend campaign has collected an estimated 3.5 million tonnes of rubbish, enough to fill 5,710 Olympic size swimming pools. Plastic, glass, metal and cigarette butts are among the most commonly found items.