National River Cleanup Day
May 17, Saturday
Purpose of the holiday
The main goal is to raise public awareness about the issue of water pollution and motivate people to take specific actions. River cleanup helps to:
- Improve water quality
- Preserve ecosystems
- Protect wildlife
- Increase awareness about proper waste disposal
History of the holiday
The holiday was inspired by the national River Cleanup initiative launched in 1991 by the organization American Rivers. Since then, tens of thousands of volunteers have participated in waterway cleanup efforts each year, collecting tons of trash across the country.
How is the day celebrated?
On this day, environmental events are organized across the country, involving:
- Volunteers, activist groups, and schoolchildren
- Local environmentalists and conservation organizations
- Business representatives supporting sustainable development
Typical activities include:
- Cleaning the shores of rivers, lakes, and other water bodies
- Sorting collected trash
- Awareness campaigns about the harm of plastic pollution
- Environmental seminars and lectures
- Flash mobs and social media campaigns with photos and videos
How to participate?
- Find the nearest event on environmental organizations' websites or through local authorities
- Show up on the event day with gloves, bags, and appropriate clothing
- Invite friends and colleagues — cleaning in teams makes the process more effective and fun
- After participating, share your experiences and raise awareness about the issue of river pollution
Interesting facts
- Plastic that enters rivers often reaches the oceans, contributing to global pollution
- On average, volunteers collect up to 25 tons of trash during one event
- Some initiatives include not only cleaning but also restoring vegetation along riverbanks