Tens of thousands of 'Supporters of Clean' out across the Netherlands to clean up litter

Today the Netherlands gets a big spring cleanup during the 22nd edition of the National Cleanup Day. Of the many participants, as many as 38,125 have officially signed up. Together, the 'Supporters of Clean' have put 2,525 actions and areas on the map. Young and old work together and everyone participates: neighbors, families, businesses, schools, associations and municipalities. New representative research among more than 500 Dutch people shows that 1 in 5 adults has ever participated in a national litter cleanup campaign. Of these, the National Clean-up Day is the most popular. Thus, 1 in 10 has ever participated.

All participants who find deposit cans and plastic bottles are asked to hand them in at a deposit collection point. The National Clean-up Day is organized by Supporter of Clean, an initiative of Verpact. You can still create an action or clean area at: www.supportervanschoon.nl

Main photo: Today is National Clean-up Day © Sandra Uittenbogaart

Hester Klein Lankhorst, general manager of Verpact, is looking forward to today: "As far as I'm concerned, the National Clean-up Day is one of the most important days of the year. We get the Netherlands ready for spring and we show that garbage doesn't belong in the streets. And if it is there anyway, let's clean it up together like today. I am glad that so many people are rolling up their sleeves. Now almost 40,000 people have already signed up through our website. We know from experience that many more Dutch people will take to the streets today. And seeing clean up, does clean up and clean keeps clean. I am convinced that there is a Supporter of Clean in everyone.


Photo left: Hester Klein Lankhorst © Sandra Uittenbogaart.
Photo at right: participants cleaning up © Supporter of Clean


Participants during the National Cleanup Day © Supporter of Clean

Dutch businesses roll up their sleeves
During the Netherlands' biggest spring clean, companies also organize actions in which consumers can participate, employees take a cleaning tour around branches and offices and call on customers to roll up their sleeves themselves. Cleaning up also strengthens the bond between colleagues and a lot of fun is had. Employees take a break from their work situation and, at the same time, ensure a clean neighborhood. Participating companies in the National Clean-up Day 2024 include: McDonald's, Mars Netherlands, Koninklijke Grolsch, Cloetta, Mondelēz International, Vrumona, FEBO, Domino's, Disney Channel, Branchevereniging Vakcentrum, Stichting Super Supermarkt Keurmerk, Jumbo, Zeeman, Stayokay, Roompot, Landal GreenParks, EuroParcs, Pathé, Staatsbosbeheer and IVN. The municipalities of Almere, Gouda, Veldhoven, Westerkwartier, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Woerden and Midden-Groningen, among others, are also rolling up their sleeves.

About Verpact
Our task in the Netherlands is to ensure that packaging - after use - is collected and recycled in a smart and efficient way, including through the deposit system. In doing so, we implement the legally regulated producer responsibility for packaging. Verpact plays a central role in making the packaging chain circular, with the ideal being that every old packaging becomes new packaging. In this way we preserve valuable raw materials in the chain, reduce litter and microplastics and limit the impact of packaging on the environment.

Part of Verpact include:

  • Supporter of Clean, to prevent and tackle litter
  • Sustainable Packaging Knowledge Institute (KIDV), which helps companies make sustainable, informed packaging choices
  • Deposit Netherlands, for efficient and effective implementation of the deposit scheme

Read more about Dutch recycling results for packaging, including reuse, here.

Survey on willingness to participate in a national litter cleanup campaign
Recent research by Verpact, conducted by DirectResearch, shows that 1 in 5 of the Dutch have ever participated in a national litter cleanup campaign. Among those, the National Clean-up Day is the most popular. On average, 1 in 10 has participated.1 in 20 has also participated in World Cleanup Day. Dutch people who have indicated that they have participated in a national litter cleanup campaign were asked the following statement: 'Participation in a national cleanup campaign has made me more likely to pick up other people's litter in the street and throw it in the bin'. Good news is that almost 60% either 'completely agree' or 'agree' with the statement. Actually holding people accountable for their behavior seems to be a higher threshold, 41% of respondents indicating 'completely agree' or 'agree' here.

Striking actions across the country
With gloves, grabbers and garbage bags, participants will go out today to clean up litter. One notable action is that of the Municipality of Vlissingen. They are holding a 24-hour relay in which one or more persons will be picking up litter every hour from March 23, 12:00 noon until March 24, 12:00 noon. Volunteer organization Wervenberaad will take care of cleaning up the Werf where participants can have a free cup of coffee afterwards at one of the restaurants along the canals of Utrecht. In addition, RCW Runnersclub Woerden organizes a special training where they clean up litter while running. SEA LIFE Scheveningen is tackling the boulevard of Scheveningen because the pollution of our underwater world starts above water. The National Cleanup Day also marks the start of the Maas Cleanup, an initiative of a number of Limburg companies and IVN. The river nature around the Maas from Limburg to Rotterdam will be made litter-free by more than 10,000 cleaners. Earlier this week tens of thousands of schoolchildren came into action to clean up the school environment during the special Scholendag.