29 October 2025
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How a global day of action connects millions of people, sparks discussions about consumption and recycling – and why prevention and circular economy remain crucial.
On World Cleanup Day, millions of people worldwide join forces to clear streets, parks, beaches and rivers of waste. Since its introduction in 2018, it has been considered the largest civic environmental movement of our time and is now carried out in more than 200 countries.
On 20 September 2024, the date was officially observed as an international day in the UN calendar.
World Cleanup Day is not just a collective clean-up. Behind the initiative lies a greater vision:
Waste in rivers, seas or urban spaces not only creates an unpleasant sight in the short term. In the long run, it causes ecological damage that endangers animals, ecosystems and ultimately human health. The overarching goal is clear: a healthy, waste-free planet.
The global volumes of waste are not accidental but the result of several factors:
At first glance, it may seem as if correct waste separation is the solution. But here is the catch:
A look at Kenya shows how complex the global waste issue is. In Nairobi lies the Dandora landfill, one of the largest dumps in East Africa. Originally designed for smaller volumes of waste, it now receives more than 2,000 tonnes of unsorted waste every day, including household, industrial and medical refuse.
The landfill is both a livelihood and a hazard. Around 5,000 waste pickers earn their living here by sorting materials such as plastic, metal or glass from the heaps of waste. However, this work takes place under precarious conditions and comes with considerable health risks, such as respiratory diseases or skin problems. In addition, hard-to-process materials such as fast-fashion textiles or plastics containing harmful substances put a lasting strain on the environment.
The contrast with World Cleanup Day is clear: while millions of people collect waste together on a single day, communities like those in Nairobi have to deal with the long-term consequences of global consumption patterns every day. Structural solutions in waste management are needed: from systematic separation and circular concepts to fair working conditions for those handling waste.
Textiles are among the fastest-growing waste streams worldwide, driven by overproduction and the trend towards short-lived fast fashion. Studies show that, on average, less than 20% of the clothes in a wardrobe are worn regularly. Many items remain unused because they no longer fit, are uncomfortable or are simply no longer liked. These unworn pieces do not just disappear – sooner or later, they often end up in the waste stream. Whether through clothing collections, containers or residual waste, a significant share ends up in landfills or is burned. As a result, the global mountain of textile waste grows, causing long-term ecological damage similar to plastics.
The COSH! Digital Wardrobe app digitises the wardrobe and shows which items are being used. This makes it possible to sort out clothing in a targeted way, donate, repair or sell it. In doing so, the lifespan of textiles is extended, while also supporting conscious purchasing decisions.
The COSH! Digital Wardrobe can help raise awareness about how we handle clothing and contribute to reducing avoidable waste.
Proper recycling is useful and necessary, but it is only part of the solution. Real change becomes effective only when:
Even small changes in consumption behaviour can have measurable effects. At the same time, it is clear that the waste issue is multidimensional and cannot be solved by individual actions alone. Consumers can reflect on their consumption, companies are called upon to take responsibility for products and supply chains throughout the entire life cycle, and political actors must support the transition to circular models through regulatory frameworks. In combination, these factors can initiate structural changes that go beyond individual initiatives and lead to a significant reduction in waste volumes in the long term.
World Cleanup Day is more than just a day of action. It draws attention to the global waste problem and sparks discussions for long-term change.
Join in, bring along your family, colleagues or friends, share knowledge and become part of the movement.