National CleanUp Day Annual Report 2020

National CleanUp Day was proud to partner with PlanetOat and Cobie Smulders for the 2020 CleanUp Event.

✔ Over 650,000 Volunteers Engaged 

✔ Over 4.5 Million Pounds Debris, Litter, Trash Removed

✔ 50 States and 5 Territories

A Message From the Co-Founders of National CleanUp Day 

We do this for our love for our country and the world and encourage others to do so, as well. It is our mission to make the country as beautiful as it was in our youth. We pivoted in 2020 due to COVID-19 from large scale cleanups to individual cleanups. We saw almost 400,000 signups by individuals on the website directly and this is a significant increase.  Nonprofits were constrained by COVID restrictions in many parts of the US.  

National CleanUp Day promotes harmony with nature and the outdoors. We are providing systems and support for our partners to have a greater impact and a long-lasting effect. We respect the quality of life that comes from exposure to the outdoors. We believe it is better when it's as Mother Nature intended. 

Study after study shows the highest indicator that someone will pick up litter is if they witness someone else picking up litter. That’s because peer group norms are more powerful than incentives, and when worked in concert with each other, they can provide impressive behavioral change impacts. 

Our core belief is the notion that people want to do the right things; all they need is a little encouragement or incentive. We believe that people are naturally responsible; if we encourage others to go out and have fun while taking care of their favorite places.  

So, take care of your environment, pick up after yourselves and others, and our country will become clean and more enjoyable. 

Go, have fun, and make a difference.  

Steve Jewett & Bill Willoughby  

Co-Founders, National CleanUp Day

Top 10 Items Found During CleanUps

1. Cigarette Butts 

2. Food Wrappers 

3. Plastic Bottles 

4. Plastic Bottle Caps

5. Plastic Grocery Bags

6. Other Plastic Bags 

7. Straws 

8. Plastic Takeout Containers 

9. Plastic Lids 

10. Foam Takeout Containers

One of the many CleanUp crews in Salt Lake City, UT

National CleanUp Day Goals 

1. Reduce Trash and Litter from “Sea to Shining Sea” 

2. Minimize the impact of Trash and Litter on the environment  3. Increase partner outreach 

a. Organizations that perform cleanups locally and nationally. b. Organizations that support cleanup education or research c. Corporations, Schools, and Land Managers 

4. Assist partners to achieve their goals 

5. Promote National CleanUp Day’s educational message partner gateway a. Don’t be an “ill-litter-ate” 

b. Pick up litter 

c. Participate in Trash and Litter cleanups nationwide 

6. Develop our mapping network for participants to be matched up with  the relevant local partners