Clean Up Australia Day

Caring for the earth through action

Clean Up Australia Day

Tzu Chi Perth’s participation in Clean Up Australia Day can be traced back to 1999 and continues without interruption to this day. The core of this action is not simply picking up rubbish, but cultivating a shared civic responsibility to care for public spaces. From early beach clean-ups to the continued mobilization of volunteers and youth in recent years for street cleaning, the Perth team has turned “keep rubbish off the ground” from a slogan into a community habit. Every time we bend down is a gesture of respect toward the earth; every clean-up also reminds us that environmental quality comes from everyone’s daily choices, not only from institutional action.

Clean Up Australia Day - Tzu Shao member Huang Yi-xuan found a discarded child safety seat cushion

Tzu Shao member Huang Yi-xuan found a discarded child safety seat cushion.

Clean Up Australia Day - A young volunteer refused to give up on litter thrown beyond the railing.

A young volunteer refused to give up on litter thrown beyond the railing.

Clean Up Australia Day - Before the activity, team leaders lovingly reminded everyone and explained important precautions

Before the activity, team leaders lovingly reminded everyone and explained important precautions.

Clean Up Australia Day - Volunteers posed for a photo with big smiles and their “golden” haul

Volunteers posed for a photo with big smiles and their “golden” haul.

Clean Up Australia Day - Volunteers received final reminders before setting out

Volunteers received final reminders before setting out.

Clean Up Australia Day - trace-free vegetarian picnic

In response to COVID-19 this year, after the street-cleaning activity, Tzu Ching specially planned a “trace-free vegetarian picnic,” moving lunch to a well-ventilated park. After careful consideration, the kitchen team prepared rice balls for volunteers to reduce the risk of droplets settling on food. Tzu Ching volunteers also took the opportunity to promote the ideas of “vegetarian health” and “plastic-free environmental protection” to new volunteers, sharing how to help cool the planet through practical daily actions.

Clean Up Australia Day - Tzu Ching explained the safety guidelines for the activity and the basics of rubbish sorting

The activity began in an orderly manner. Everyone received gloves, vests, and tongs. After Tzu Ching explained the safety guidelines for the activity and the basics of rubbish sorting, everyone began the clean-up.

Clean Up Australia Day - volunteers were divided into five teams and cleaned rubbish along different routes

This year, the volunteers were divided into five teams and cleaned rubbish along different routes.

Clean Up Australia Day - syringes, cigarette butts, masks, drink cans, and other litter discarded by passers-by

In the gaps beside the pavement bricks and under street trees, there were syringes, cigarette butts, masks, drink cans, and other litter discarded by passers-by. Volunteers carefully removed them.

Clean Up Australia Day - A total of 21 volunteers participated that day

The bottles and cans collected this year could be taken to the government recycling station for a refund, which would then be contributed to the liaison office’s sea of merit. A total of 21 volunteers participated that day. Although volunteer numbers were lower than in previous years because of the pandemic, the annual commitment to giving back to society and caring for the environment remained undiminished.

Clean Up Australia Day - Volunteers led warm-up exercises

Volunteers led warm-up exercises so everyone could get to know one another in a relaxed atmosphere.

Clean Up Australia Day - Group Photo

The annual commitment to giving back to society and caring for the environment remains undiminished.