Operation Clean Up Week 2026
Registrations Open! Operation Clean Up Week Events
9–13 November 2026
Whether you’re joining an established event or encouraging colleagues to take part, every contribution helps make a difference.
No event nearby? Grab a bag!
You don’t need to attend an organised event to take part in Operation Clean Up Week. This year, we’re encouraging members across Aotearoa to get involved through our ‘Grab a Bag’ lunchtime challenge.
Simply pick a day with good weather during Operation Clean Up Week, spend 20 minutes collecting litter from outside your workplace, and see what you can recover. Keep an eye out for your own weirdest find, too!
We’d love you to share a photo of the materials you collect, including your most unusual discovery, with Katy at katy@plastics.org.nz.
It’s an easy way to bring colleagues together, make a visible difference in your local area and contribute to a collective effort across the country.
Want to organise your own clean up?
If there isn’t an event planned in your region, why not organise one? We’re keen to support members who want to bring their communities and colleagues together for a local clean-up.
A planning guide is available to help you get started, and we can assist with communications, administration, resources and litter collection arrangements. All you need is a date, a time and a willingness to get involved.
To discuss hosting an event, contact katy@plastics.org.nz.
Let’s leave our environment better than we found it
Operation Clean Up Week is an opportunity for the plastics industry to demonstrate its commitment to being part of the solution, while connecting with local communities and taking practical action to reduce litter in our environment.
Whether you volunteer at an event, organise a workplace clean-up, sponsor a ‘Weirdest Find’ prize or simply spend 20 minutes picking up litter, every action counts.
Registrations are open, so gather your colleagues, get your gumboots ready and join us from 9–13 November 2026 for another fulfilling week of good doing!
We look forward to seeing what we can achieve together — and, of course, discovering what weird and wonderful finds this year has in store.
North Auckland – Wednesday 11 November, 10.00 am - Register here
West Auckland – Tuesday 10 November, 10.00 am - Register here
East Auckland – Thursday 12 November, 10.00 am - Register here
Central Auckland – Friday 13 November, 2.00 pm - Register here
Hamilton – Tues 10 November, 2.00 pm - Register here
Hawke's Bay – Friday 13 November, 2.00 pm - Register here
Christchurch – Thursday 12 November, 2.00 pm - Register here
Operation Clean Up Week is back this November, bringing together industry members, volunteers and local communities to tackle litter and help protect Aotearoa New Zealand’s beautiful environment. With registrations now open for confirmed events across the motu, it’s time to get your gumboots ready and join us for a week of good doing!
This year, we’re also calling on businesses and community partners to help make our popular ‘Weirdest Find’ competitions even more exciting by sponsoring prizes at local clean-up events.
From shopping trolleys to tractor tyres: What will we find in 2026?
Every year, volunteers head out to clean up local parks, reserves, waterways and other public spaces, recovering all kinds of manmade materials along the way. Some discoveries are more surprising than others!
From gun cylinders and toy cars to seven shopping trolleys and tractor tyres, previous clean-ups have uncovered some truly unusual items. These unexpected finds have become a fun talking point at our events and a great way to add a little friendly competition to the day.
To celebrate the strangest discoveries, we award a prize for the weirdest find at each official event. We’re now looking for sponsors willing to donate prizes and help reward the volunteers who uncover the most unusual items.
Could your business sponsor a ‘Weirdest Find’ prize?
If you’re able to contribute a prize at an event near you, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Katy at katy@plastics.org.nz to get involved.
Your support will help make the competitions more engaging while recognising the efforts of volunteers working together to create cleaner local environments.
Join an Operation Clean Up Week event near you
Official Operation Clean Up Week events will take place from 9–13 November 2026, with confirmed activities across several regions.
Here’s where you can get involved:
info@plastics.org.nz
Phone: (09) 255 5662
Contact
P O Box 76 378
Manukau, Auckland
New Zealand 2241
Address
