Clean Up Australia Day: Get Involved To Clean Up Our Community

It’s disappointing to see rubbish scattered around when you venture out for a walk, bike ride or even a trip to the beach. This year, get your family involved in Clean Up Australia Day. This day is Australia’s largest annual national community-based litter clean up event. It’s on Sunday 5 March 2023 and there are a variety of different local activities you can do to help clean up our community.

Even though it’s common knowledge Australia’s waste challenges go beyond one day and you are encouraged to register a Clean Up Australia event on any day of the year, you can still get involved on the official Clean Up Australia Day, held every year on the first Sunday in March.

This year, get involved in Clean Up Australia Day events and activities around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.

Join a Public Clean Up Event

As of now, there are are over 80 Clean Up Australia events scheduled for Sunday 5 March around the Newcastle and Hunter region. Each registered community site will be provided with a Clean Up Australia Day Clean Up Kit containing single-use gloves, hand sanitiser and bags.

Dress appropriately for the weather, including closed-toe shoes. Clean Up Australia recommend that you bring a hat, pair of gloves, sunscreen and water – in a reusable bottle! Bring your mobile phone to sign-in using the site-specific QR code.

There are a lots of registered Clean Up Australia sites that you can join in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock and Port Stephens. For a complete list, check out the events on the Clean Up Australia website. Please note that events that do not have a “Join” button are not able to be joined by the public. 

Some public events include:

• Newcastle West at Birdwood Park
• Redhead at Webb Park
• Warners Bay Foreshore
• East Maitland at Lawes Street Tennis Courts

Create Your Own Clean Up Event

If you know of a local area near you that needs cleaning, create your own event. You can step up and create a Clean Up event for the next Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 5 March 2023 – or any day of the year! Get your friends, family and local community group together to make an impact that improves your environment. 

Clean Up Australia will send you a free starter kit that contains bags, gloves and everything you need to create a safe, fun and effective Clean Up. They provide materials for individuals, families (2 adults & 2 children), groups of 10 and groups of 20. Allow two weeks for delivery of your Clean Up kit.

Join the PLOG-A-THON

The Clean Up Australia PLOG-A-THON is the perfect way for individuals and small groups to get out in the local area. It involves exercise and picking up rubbish. “Plogging” is a Swedish word for picking up rubbish while jogging or exercising and Clean Up Australia have embraced the term to celebrate a fun way to keep fit and promote sustainability. It’s socially responsible and results in a cleaner environment and community.

The PLOG-A-THON is a great way to burn off energy, get the whole family involved and improve your local environment. Entry is free and when you register a plog-a-thon you can request a plogging kit which has everything you need to get started (gloves and bags).

You might also choose to Get Fitter With Litter, where you can adopt a street to keep neat, improving the environment, bringing community together and improving your overall health.

No matter how you get involved, just pick up at least one piece of litter. It all makes a difference!