International Women’s Day 2026- Celebrating Women Tackling Litter

This International Women’s Day 2026 we proudly celebrate the extraordinary women who are turning the tide on litter, from grassroots community action to global environmental leadership. Women around the world are redefining what it means to protect our planet.

Lilly Platt is an international environmental champion whose achievements at just 12 years old surpass those of many adults. She founded “Lilly’s Plastic Pickup” at the age of seven, after seeing a staggering amount of plastic litter in her local area. Since then, Lilly has collected over 100,000 pieces of litter, inspiring youth activism around the world and serving as a youth ambassador for global plastic pollution campaigns. Her dedication and passion make her a powerful example of how young people can drive real environmental change.

One woman taking a powerful stand for the environment is Ellie Jackson, an Author and educator whose Wild Tribe Heroes books inspire children to take action on pollution, from beach cleans to recycling campaigns giving the next generation tools to protect the planet.

Also inspiring the next generation are Co-founders of Kids Against Plastic, Amy and Ella. They began their environmental journey as children and have since engaged hundreds of schools and volunteers across the UK. To date, they have collected over 90,000 pieces of single-use plastic litter, launched campaign initiatives involving more than 1,000 schools and even published a book, Be Plastic Clever.

These women demonstrate that leadership, curiosity, and courage, regardless of age or background can influence global conversations about waste, sustainability, and community health.

Nothing reminds us that community action matters more than the incredible women who are the backbone of our work at CleanupUK.

One incredibly inspiring figure is Davina Hodson, a long-standing supporter and a dear friend to CleanupUK. A regular donor to our work, Davina left a legacy gift to seven charities with CleanupUK being one of the fortunate beneficiaries. Her bequest has been transformational, allowing us to expand our reach and support even more community cleanup efforts. Her generosity, commitment and passion have been instrumental in creating lasting impact on litter and community action across the UK.

At the heart of CleanupUK’s work are our Champions, the friendly faces who encourage, organise, and support litter picks across the country. They build local momentum and inspire neighbours to join the movement, from lending out equipment to coordinating community litter-picks, their energy embodies the spirit of this day.

Equally vital are our Hubs, which serve as beacons of community resilience. Local organisations and groups open their doors to lend out litter-picking gear, welcome new volunteers and organise shared action. These spaces make it easy for anyone to get involved, feel included and connect with their community.

Across the UK, litter-picking groups bring people together, encouraging neighbours, friends, and families to take positive action and strengthen community pride. Each group, whether large or small, contributes to the wider vision of cleaner streets and happier communities.

This International Women’s Day, we are reminded that environmental stewardship isn’t just about big policies; it’s about everyday acts of care. Whether it’s a young activist picking up their first piece of plastic, a community leader rallying dozens of volunteers, or a mother sharing tips with her children about waste reduction, women everywhere are shaping a cleaner, greener future.

To every woman standing up for our planet, thank you. Your dedication, courage, and compassion continue to inspire communities across the UK and beyond.