Clean Up Australia Day returns on Sunday 7 March 2027, and is calling on individuals, families, schools, and community groups across the country to register now, get their gloves on and be part of Australia’s largest day of environmental action. Whether it’s a beach, creek, a local park or a street close to home, there are many opportunities to participate and make a difference in the community. For over 36 years, Clean Up Australia Day has brought communities together, with close to 24 million volunteers joining the effort. Over 850,000 people took part last year across more than 11,000 events nationally, and for 2027, the aim is to make it bigger and better than ever. Pip Kiernan, Chair of Clean Up Australia said: “There’s nothing quite like seeing our whole nation come together for a shared purpose. From our loyal volunteers who have been involved since the beginning, to kids doing their very first Clean Up, together we can make a real difference to the places we love.” Clean Up Australia’s FY25 Litter Report, which provides an annual snapshot of the litter collected by volunteers, found that plastics continue to be the number one litter type in Australia’s streets, parks, bushlands and waterways, representing 80.8 per cent of all counted litter. Cigarette butts, also made of plastic, were the most littered individual item, representing 23.6 per cent of all counted litter. The litter that volunteers find is part of a much bigger picture. Australia generated 79 million tonnes of waste in 2024-25, up 4.1 per cent on the previous year, with waste per person up 2.5 per cent, according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW) National Waste and Resource Recovery Report 2026. Plastic consumption also rose from 4.0 to 4.2 million tonnes, with only 16 per cent of plastics recovered, according to DCCEEW’s Australian Plastics Flows and Fates Study 2024-25 National Report. The encouraging news is that Australians are ready for change, with 89 per cent believing there should be stronger rules for manufacturers and brands to help reduce waste and 94 per cent supporting a circular approach to packaging in Australia, according to the Cleanaway Recycling Behaviours Report 2026. Taking part in Clean Up Australia Day is a practical way for communities to take action, removing litter from waterways and bushlands and helping to protect native wildlife. With registrations for Clean Up Australia Day 2027 now open, volunteers can receive a free Clean Up kit, containing gloves, bags and other resources. Packs are free for individuals, families, community groups and schools, with businesses asked to pay a small fee to cover costs. As an added bonus, volunteers who register a Clean Up Australia Day event before 31 December, will automatically be entered into an early bird competition to win one of ten donated $500 Coles vouchers. The competition is open to all participants including community, business or school Clean Up events. For those unable to participate, Clean Up Australia also welcomes donations, with the funds raised going directly to empowering Australians to take positive action for the environment and providing free Clean Up kits. Register now at cleanup.org.au for Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 7 March, 2027 Business Clean Up Day on Tuesday 2 March, 2027. Schools Clean Up Day on Friday 5 March, 2027.
