DIGITAL CLEANUP DAY

THIRD SATURDAY IN MARCH

Digital Cleanup Day is a day dedicated to cleaning up our digital lives, just like we clean up our physical environment on World Cleanup Day. 

Now into its sixth year, and organised by Let's Do It World, Digital Cleanup Day is aimed at raising awareness about digital pollution, encouraging individuals and companies to declutter and restructure their online presence.

The Hidden Cost of Digital Life

  • The ICT sector (digital/tech) is estimated to contribute roughly 2–4 % of global CO₂/GHG emissions, similar scale to aviation in some reports (and rising with data demand). (a)

  • Data centres and networks together use a big chunk of electricity data centres alone are estimated to consume the equivalent of hundreds of terawatt-hours annually; projections suggest this could double by 2026 if current growth continues, driven by cloud, AI, and streaming demand. (b)

  • Global e-waste hit ~62 million metric tons in 2022 and is forecast to climb toward ~82 million tons by 2030 under current trends. (c)

  • Only about 22–24 % of that e-waste was documented as formally collected and recycled in 2022 so the majority ends up in informal recycling or landfills.(c)

  • *Globally, “dark data” - information that’s collected and stored but never actually used - is estimated to generate more than 5.8 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year, which is roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of 1.2 million cars. (g)

  • Producing a typical 2 kg computer requires ~800 kg of raw materials - highlighting how much mining, processing, and transport goes into electronics before use. (b)

  • Electricity & efficiency aren’t improving evenly: in many regions, a large share of data centre power still comes from fossil energy, leading to significant CO₂ impacts (e.g., data centres in the U.S. emitted ~105 million tons CO₂ in 2024, about 2.18 % of U.S. emissions). (d)

  • Cloud storage & backups still produce real physical energy use and emissions, even though people think of “the cloud” as invisible. (e)

  • A huge chunk of the data we store online is basically wasted: roughly 85 % of all stored data in organisations is “dark data” - information that’s collected and stored but never used - yet keeping it costs real energy and drives real CO₂ emissions because data centres must keep it powered and cooled all the time. (f)

  • Worldwide, only about 24% of digital and electronic waste is formally collected for recycling, meaning the vast majority ends up in landfills or informal dumps with toxic materials. (b)

Digital Cleanup Day

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

  • Volunteer: Join us in our efforts to promote environmental awareness and sustainability in your community. Whether you have a few hours or a few days to spare, your help is invaluable!

  • Partner with Us: If you're part of a nonprofit, business, or government organization, consider partnering with the Environmental Alliance for collaborative projects or events. Together, we can make a bigger impact!

  • Stay Informed: Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news, events, and ways to participate in our initiatives.

  • Attend Events: Participate in our upcoming events and awareness days. Check our calendar for dates and details.

  • Spread the Word: Share our mission with your network. Follow us on social media and help us raise awareness about environmental issues.