Clean Up Australia calls on Aussies to reconnect with the places we live, work and play, and help protect waterways and wildlife from the harm caused by litter.

The Great Spring Clean Up is set to return this year, running nationwide throughout September and October, and registrations are now open.

As spring arrives, Clean Up Australia is encouraging volunteers and the wider community to take the opportunity to step outside, reconnect with the places they live, work and play, and help remove litter before it washes into local waterways, harms wildlife and spreads further throughout the environment.

Last year over 900 Great Spring Clean Up events took place across the country. This year, Clean Up Australia is aiming to go even bigger, by encouraging more communities, schools and workplaces than ever to get involved and help top last year’s efforts.

The Great Spring Clean Up follows Clean Up Australia Day, the nation’s largest day of environmental action, held on the first Sunday in March each year.

Pip Kiernan, Chair of Clean Up Australia, said: “The Great Spring Clean Up is about reconnecting with the places that matter most to us, including our local parks, beaches and waterways, and looking after them. It’s a simple reminder that it’s in our nature to care for our environment, and spring is a great time to do our bit.

“It’s a chance to step outside, see your local area with fresh eyes, and remember that cleaner places don’t happen by chance, they happen because people take action. Every volunteer makes a difference, and together we can help to protect the places we love.” said Pip Kiernan.

While community Clean Up efforts remain vital in protecting our environment, the latest Litter Report revealed that more than 80% of the litter collected by volunteers in FY25 was plastic. This really highlights the ongoing challenge we have with plastics and underscores the urgent need for packaging reforms.

Clean Up Australia strongly supports the implementation of a mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging, including soft plastics, to ensure producers and manufacturers are responsible for the packaging they place on the market, helping to reduce single-use plastics at the source.

“Plastics are pervasive in our environment, and we find them there in growing amounts. We need to reduce how much plastic is being produced and increase reliance on reusable alternatives.” said Kiernan.

The Great Spring Clean Up is open to everyone, whether you’re looking to participate as an individual, a family, community group, school, workplace or with your mates.

Volunteers will receive a free Clean Up kit, containing reusable gloves, bags and other resources, with packs for individuals, families, community groups and schools available (businesses are asked to pay a small fee to help cover costs).

If you are unable to participate, donations to Clean Up Australia are welcome, with 100% of funds raised going directly to empowering Australians to take positive action for the environment and providing the free Clean Up kits to our incredible volunteers.

Gather your Clean Up crew, choose a place that matters to you, and register your Great Spring Clean Up today.

Registrations are now open at cleanup.org.au   

About Clean Up Australia 

Founded by Ian Kiernan, AO in 1990, Clean Up Australia is one of the country’s most recognised and trusted environmental organisations, inspiring and mobilising communities to improve and conserve our environment, eliminate litter and end waste. Clean Up Australia Day is the nation’s largest community-based environmental event, and more than 23 million volunteers have participated since its inception.

Clean Up Australia works with community, schools, businesses and government to provide practical solutions to help all Australians live more sustainably every day of the year. Today the organisation’s focus is as much on preventing litter entering our environment as it is removing what has already accumulated.

Tags and information

Instagram @cleanupaustralia

TikTok @cleanupaustralia

Website: www.cleanup.org.au

INDEPENDENT NEWS IS IMPORTANT.

Enjoy reading Eco Voice? Please help us by purchasing a GIFT Voucher or send one to a friend and encourage people to purchase trees or seeds via The Native Shop – www.nativeshop.com.au

Plants, seeds & more delivered to your door!