International Coastal Clean-up Day
In partnership with volunteer organizations and individuals around the globe, the International Coastal Cleanup® (ICC) engages people to remove trash from the world’s beaches and waterways. Thanks to millions of volunteers around the world, the ICC has become a beacon of hope, leading and inspiring action in support of our ocean. Since its beginning, more than 19 million volunteers have collected more than 400 million pounds of trash.
Clean-up and Recycle Week
In 2000, Plastics SA initiated Clean-up and Recycle SA Week, which takes place annually, during the week before the International Coastal Clean-up.
This clean-up week is a national event and includes:
- National River Clean-up Day (Wednesday)
- Recycling Day SA (Friday)
- International Coastal Clean-up Day (Saturday)
- World Clean-up day (Saturday)
Clean-ups have allowed for greater awareness and monitoring of the problem. Thanks to the ongoing commitment of organisations such as Ocean Conservancy, The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), The African Waste Network and Plastics|SA, who have added their weight to ensuring that more people in Africa, and specifically Southern Africa,
are familiar with the issue of marine debris.
Support from organisations and individuals is essential if the Clean-up and Recycle SA Campaign, National Recycling Day, World Clean-Up Day and International Coastal Clean-up Day are to be successful.
World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day is an annual UN observance focused on raising awareness about ocean health, protection, and the vital role oceans play in our lives, food, climate, and survival, with events planned globally and at the UN headquarters.
It highlights the ocean’s importance for food, oxygen, climate, and biodiversity. Activities include celebrations, educational events, conservation efforts, and community gatherings worldwide.
World Environment Day
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5 June and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It is supported by many non-governmental organizations, businesses, government entities, and represents the primary United Nations outreach day supporting the environment.
Africa Day
Africa Day in 2026 will be celebrated on Monday, May 25th, marking the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, with festivities focusing on African unity, culture, progress, and potential, often extending throughout May as “Africa Month” with various events like conferences, exhibitions, and cultural festivals across the continent and globally.
Earth Day
Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally through earthday.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
National Water Week
The National Water Week campaign is aimed at educating the public about their responsibility in water conservation initiatives, raising awareness around the need to protect and conserve the country’s water resources.
The Department of Water and Sanitation celebrates Water Week by urging everyone to use water sparingly to ensure Water For All.
Water Month is an expansion of the World Water Day, spearheaded by United Nations on 22 March, which focuses its attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
This day is used as a basis for longer-term action involving governments across the globe with an aim to ensure that everyone in the world has access to safe water by 2030, while not impacting negatively on the environment.
Each year, the United Nations Water sets a theme for World Water Day which corresponds to a current or future challenge.
World Water Day
World Water Day in 2026 will be on Sunday, March 22nd, continuing its annual focus on freshwater, promoting sustainable management, and tackling the global water crisis, with a specific emphasis in 2026 on water and sanitation’s role in gender equality, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 6. The day serves as a global call to action to ensure safe water and sanitation for everyone, addressing issues like scarcity and pollution.