Five ways you can help clean up the world

This year’s World Cleanup Day, September 18, promises to be bigger and better than ever. Here’s how you can help.

Imagine a global green wave, with over 180 countries, thousands of partners and millions of people joining forces on the very same day. This Saturday, it becomes a reality. Now in its fourth year, World Cleanup Day was created to tackle the global trash problem by removing litter and mismanaged waste from our beaches, rivers, forests and streets.

A bit of history: The event’s humble beginnings date back to 2008. In just five hours, 50,000 people in the small European nation of Estonia banded together to clean up the entire country. Word spread quickly, inspiring other nations to adopt the same ambitious “one country, one day” formula.

Fast forward 10 years. The simple act of cleaning evolved into the first official World Cleanup Day in 2018, a collaborative global movement mobilizing all spheres of society—governments, organizations, corporations and environmentally minded individuals.

Norwex’s Norwegian roots align perfectly. Known for its forests, fjords and fresh air, Norway ranks among the world’s most environmentally friendly countries. For 27 years, Norwex® has prioritized sustainability, creating quality products that keep our homes, families and planet safer.

With millions of people around the world set to roll up their sleeves this Saturday, here are ways you can make a difference—not only on World Cleanup Day, but every day year round.

1. Make picking up litter a part of your daily routine.
   It may seem insignificant, but every wrapper, aluminum can, plastic bag or other piece of trash counts. Keep an eye out for random litter, whether it’s on your morning coffee run or during your p.m. puppy walk. We’ve also been hearing the term “plogging”—which means picking up trash on your daily jog. Win-win.

   Two words of caution: Carry hand sanitizer to cut down on the germ factor. And be sure to exercise caution by picking up trash safely.

2. Cut down on single-use disposables.
   Did you know the average family can spend hundreds of dollars a year on single-use disposables like paper towels and wipes? They’re big business, too. Over $12 billion are sold annually worldwide. And while paper towels have a relatively small carbon footprint—about 0.06 lbs. of carbon dioxide each—collectively they contribute to deforestation, global warming and a continually growing waste problem.

   Here’s another eye-opening fact: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), paper and cardboard waste—of which paper towels are a part—make up the largest percentage of waste materials in the U.S. And every day, more than 51,000 trees are cut down to feed the paper towel habit of North America.

   The good news is disposables are easily replaced with sustainably minded alternatives. A quality microfiber cloth can replace paper towels and provide a superior, safer clean, without the use of chemicals. That goes for mop pads, too.

   Other products that not only help save the planet but also help with your budget include cloth napkins, dryer balls and even microfiber makeup remover cloths and facial pads.

3. Be mindful of product packaging.
   These days, so much of the food we buy comes wrapped in plastic. A great way to reduce the amount of plastic you bring home from the store is to bring your own container and buy items in bulk whenever possible. And don’t forget those reusable grocery bags and produce bags to help further reduce plastic.
4. Do your part to conserve water.
   Even small changes can have a big payoff. Cutting back on water consumption means less runoff and waste that can end up in our oceans, rivers and bays. At the same time, it helps conserve fuel and reduce pollution.

   Simple, common-sense solutions include:

   • Check toilets, faucets and pipes for leaks. Even a small drip can waste 50 gallons of water—or more.
   • Only wash full loads—dishes and clothes.
   • Use a low-flow shower head.
   • Turn off the water while: shaving, brushing your teeth, even cleaning vegetables.
   • Water your lawn thoughtfully, from time of day (early morning) to positioning sprinklers correctly.

5. Align with like-minded companies—then spread the word.
   Knowledge is power. You can be a catalyst helping others understand the importance and value of our natural resources. Doing your research and using your network to share information can boost yours and others’ awareness about waste and the environment. With so much information available at our fingertips, it’s a lot easier to find companies that are doing their part to keep the world cleaner and healthier.

   For example, when you look into some of the programs that Norwex supports, you’ll find The Seabin Project. Through our office in Malta, Norwex placed 10 Seabins around that island country to address growing concerns about harmful chemicals, plastic pollution and environmental issues—and 10 more are coming soon.

   And at the community level, we support the Washed Ashore Project, an initiative to express and teach environmental issues via the arts. Through this project, community members of all ages work together to clean up polluted beaches and convert debris into giant sculptures of the sea life that is most affected by excessive plastic pollution.

Clearly, it takes all of us to help clean up the world. How will you participate this Saturday? Other readers would love to know! Share your ideas in the comments below.

Resources:

• https://wctrust.org/how-to-safely-pick-up-plastic-litter/
• https://terrapass.com/carbon-footprint-of-paper-towels
• https://recyclenation.com/2009/11/going-paper-towel-less/
• https://www.norwexmovement.com/cleaning-up-our-oceans-one-plastic-bottle-at-a-time/
• https://www.norwexmovement.com/norwex-with-seabin-cleaner-oceans/
• https://www.washedashore.org/