Cleanups are an impactful first step in raising awareness around the issues of waste and resource management in the whole society. World Cleanup day is celebrated on 20^th September 2019 around the world; millions of people across the globe come out in huge numbers to clean up their surroundings. Caritas Samaritans also took up this task with full vigour and zeal.

Caritas India along with Earth Day Network and Bhim Rao Ambedkar college conducted a cleanup and plantation drive on 20^th September 2019 at New Delhi. Climate change has always aimed to encourage academic communities, including academics, students, and non-academic staff at universities, in all disciplines and countries to engage with each other, their communities, and policymakers on climate change action and solutions. It has also encouraged many young people to take up the climate change issue as a priority. Caritas Samaritans along with President, NSS Ambedkar College lead the NSS team for a one-day cleanup and plantation activity.

The day began with Caritas Samaritans orienting the students about global climate change action week. Students were guided on waste management and plantation. Caritas Samaritans began the event by designing posters for the event. Gloves and trash bags were distributed to the volunteers for waste collection. The activity was specifically focused on collecting plastic waste.

Only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled. About 12% has been incinerated, while the rest — 79% — has accumulated in landfills, dumps or the natural environment. Cigarette butts — whose filters contain tiny plastic fibres — are the most common type of plastic waste found in the environment in a recent global survey. Drink bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers, grocery bags, drink lids, straws were the next most common items.

The collected waste was segregated into biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste and disposed into common dust bins with the help of college staff. The next part of the event focused on planting saplings in the college backyard. The saplings were adopted by college students, the day ended with Caritas Samaritans and college students pledging to keep the cleaned area clean and take care of plants.