UN-Habitat opens call for expression of interest to host World Cleanup Day 2025, 2026
UN-Habitat has officially opened the call for expressions of interest to host the global observances of World Cleanup Day 2025 and World Cleanup Day 2026. Applications for these events should be received by 31 March and 31 July 2025, respectively.
World Cleanup Day is a unique opportunity to raise awareness, inspire action, and promote solutions to tackle waste and environmental degradation. UN-Habitat encourages applications to showcase innovative efforts to address waste proliferation and contribute to a more sustainable urban future.
Hosting World Cleanup Day 2025 or 2026 allows countries to:
Showcase national achievements and innovative solutions in managing textile and fashion waste (2025) and food waste (2026).
Share best practices and inspire global action toward a circular economy.
Foster international collaboration to address waste management challenges while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda.
World Cleanup Day 2025 theme: Fashion and textile waste
The 2025 observance will focus on fashion and textile waste, highlighting the issue of waste generated by the global fashion industry. With over 92 million tons of textile waste produced annually, the theme will spotlight the urgent need to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials while promoting sustainable production and consumption practices.
World Cleanup Day 2026 (tentative) theme: Food waste
The 2026 observance will centre on food waste, emphasizing the critical issue of global food loss and waste. With 1.05 billion tons of food wasted annually, the theme will highlight the urgent need to enhance efficiency, promote redistribution and recovery, and foster sustainable food management practices to minimize environmental and economic impacts.
Countries interested in hosting World Cleanup Day 2025 should submit their expression of interest by 31 March 2025.
In 2023, World Cleanup Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly as an international day to be observed annually on 20 September to address the global waste management challenges through coordinated voluntary action and improved collaboration and awareness for reduced waste pollution.
