Hey there eco-minded readers,

There’s tons of garbage lying around the world. Waste is everywhere – in cities, beaches, forests. Belgium is no exception to that. To make a difference we have to come together and create a real change. And we’re not only talking about nature-lovers, it’s about everyone who wants to live in a cleaner, better environment.

Delhaize Belgium partnered with several companies to organize a big national cleaning event on the weekend of March 24-25. The aim is to encourage people to clean nature by removing as much waste as they can from a place (a park, a beach, a wood, a public garden…) of their choice.

Having the Olympic medalist Kim Gevaert  as ambassador, the initiative combines education with hands-on stewardship to make Belgium cleaner and greener. It‘s a call to action which aims to activate volunteers in “on the ground” cleaning activities, thus encouraging them to take personal responsibility for improving their environments. Groups of participants having fulfilled the cleaning objectives will be rewarded with vouchers.

The program is driven by a simple and very practical “Let’s Do It!” spirit – without assigning blame for the problem, it proposes actions to make things better and invites everyone to join. If you leave in Belgium and want to make a difference for planet Earth, select a place to clean together with your group (association, colleagues, family or friends, sports club…) and register on www.whatsupcleanup.be before March 7, where you will find detailed information about this action in Dutch and French. Cleaning kits will be available at our DIY partner stores, containing gloves, fluo jackets and instructions on waste sorting.

The initiators are aiming to unite groups of volunteers’ efforts and to reward the groups. There is room for everyone to join in. We are all responsible to preserve and protect our environment. Through our everyday choices and actions, we collectively have a huge impact on our community, and on the world. It’s really a simple concept, but one with far reaching effects. A country that is free of waste is possible.  Now is a good time to jump on board, clean-up, and beautify your community.

Are you inspired by this action? And want to organize a team?