Clean Up Australia
Clean Up Australia is a registered Australian charity founded in 1989 that mobilises community-led environmental cleanups nationwide, serving individuals, schools, businesses, 251 councils, and government partners through flagship events, free Clean Up kits, education programs, and an annual citizen-science Litter Report.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersSydney, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Clean Up Australia does
Clean Up Australia is a registered Australian charity founded in 1989 by Ian Kiernan, AO, that mobilises community-based environmental action across Australia. Its core offering is an event platform anchored by two annual flagship campaigns: Clean Up Australia Day on the first Sunday in March (over 750,000 participants in 8,000+ events) and the Great Spring Clean Up in September–October. Individuals, families, schools, and businesses register for free events and receive free Clean Up kits (bags, gloves, safety equipment) distributed nationally via Amazon, with public liability insurance included. The organisation also operates an Education Hub with curriculum-linked lesson plans (in partnership with Cool.org), an annual Litter Report compiled from citizen-science data since 1991 and used by CSIRO and government bodies, and a growing portfolio of waste-specific resource centres covering food waste, fast fashion, vapes, e-waste, batteries, circular economy, and the Australian Repair Network.
The technology stack is intentionally lean: a self-service online registration portal (register.cleanup.org.au), a litter-tracking app deployed under Google.org's US$1.5 million Asia-Pacific Digital Transformation Program administered by Infoxchange, and an e-commerce store for branded merchandise. Headquarters sit at Level 9, 255 George Street, Sydney, with a small staff of 1–10 employees supported by a 251-council partner network and tiered corporate sponsors including Coles, McDonald's, Amazon, Unilever, Cleanaway, Oates, and Peters (Drumstick).
The revenue model blends four streams: (1) tax-deductible individual donations and workplace giving, (2) tiered corporate partnerships (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Education, Founding), (3) paid business offerings (DIY events at $250+GST per site, bespoke multi-site programs, and a 'Change Makers' revenue-share workshop generating a minimum $500+GST per session), and (4) government and foundation grants (FY25 grantors include the Australian Government, NSW EPA, Queensland Government, City of Sydney, Minderoo Foundation, Pratt Foundation, Adobe Employee Community Fund, and Infoxchange). Total cumulative impact includes 23 million volunteers, 16,320 cleaned sites, 2,154,254 volunteer hours, and 4,405 school clean-ups to date.
Clean Up Australia firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clean Up Australia
- Legal name
- Clean Up Australia
- Website
- https://cleanup.org.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Clean Up Australia is a registered Australian charity founded in 1989 that mobilises community-led environmental cleanups nationwide, serving individuals, schools, businesses, 251 councils, and government partners through flagship events, free Clean Up kits, education programs, and an annual citizen-science Litter Report.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clean Up Australia industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Community Mobilization Services
- NAICS
- Remediation and Other Waste Management Services (5629), Other Nonhazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal (562219), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (924110)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953), Sanitary Services (4950)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Street & Public Space Litter Collection (Municipal Cleaning) (BPALAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Solid Waste & Recycling Services Administration (BPAIACAH)
Keywords
Where Clean Up Australia is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sydney
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Clean Up Australia business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Clean Up Australia receives tax-deductible donations from individuals via its website (PayPal, direct online), workplace giving programs, raffle ticket sales (Play for Purpose), and bequests/legacy giving. Donations fund free Clean Up kits and educational resources for volunteers.
- Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorship: Tiered corporate partner program (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Education, Founding Partners) provides key funding. Partners include Coles, Peters (Drumstick), Cleanaway, Oates, Amazon, Coles Liquor, Unilever, and McDonald's. Partnerships include kit funding, distribution, and cause-marketing.
- Business Event Fees: Businesses pay $250+GST per site for DIY Clean Up events, which subsidises free community and school kits. Multi-site team engagement and 'Change Makers' team-building workshops generate additional revenue, with 50% of net profit (minimum $500+GST) flowing to Clean Up Australia.
- Government Grants: Government and foundation grants fund specific programs and projects. FY25 grantors include Australian Government, NSW EPA, Queensland Government, City of Sydney, Great Barrier Reef Marine Debris Management, Minderoo Foundation, Pratt Foundation, Adobe Employee Community Fund, and Infoxchange.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One-time | Community and School Clean Up Events — Free Registration |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | Business DIY Clean Up Events — $250+GST per site |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Multi-Site Team Engagement — Bespoke pricing |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Team Building with Purpose ('Change Makers') — Revenue share |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Clean Up Australia product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clean Up Australia mobilises Australian communities, schools, and businesses to participate in volunteer-led environmental cleanup events, providing free Clean Up kits, public liability insurance, and event registration through an online platform. It runs the flagship annual Clean Up Australia Day (first Sunday in March), The Great Spring Clean Up (September-October), targeted Clean Up Projects with partner councils, paid Business Clean Up events, and Change Makers team-building workshops. The organisation also publishes an annual Litter Report (since 1991), runs an Education Hub with curriculum-linked school resources, and operates advocacy and merchandise channels to advance waste prevention and circular economy outcomes.
Product overview
Clean Up Australia operates as a nonprofit environmental organization offering a platform of event-based and educational products centered on community cleanup initiatives and waste prevention. The core offering consists of Clean Up Australia Day (annual flagship event held on the first Sunday in March) and The Great Spring Clean Up (seasonal counterpart in September-October), both supported by free Clean Up Kits distributed to registered participants. Adjacent to the event platform, the organization provides an Education Hub with curriculum-aligned resources for schools, an annual Litter Report compiling citizen science data, and various waste-specific resource centers covering food waste, fast fashion, vapes, e-waste, batteries, and circular economy topics. The product also includes advocacy and partnership programs for businesses, councils, and government bodies, alongside a Shop for branded merchandise. The portfolio functions as a unified community mobilization platform connecting volunteers with cleanup opportunities while delivering environmental education through multiple resource channels.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Clean Up Australia Day
- The Great Spring Clean Up
- Clean Up Projects
- Business Clean Up Events (DIY)
- Change Makers Team-Building Workshops
- Education Hub
- Litter Report
- Clean Up Australia Shop
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 23 million volunteers have participated since 1989
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Clean Up Australia
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Clean Up Australia technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Clean Up Australia partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered gold partner, silver partner, bronze partner, education partner, founding partner, core, key and minor.
- Peters (Drumstick)gold partnerGold Partner. Drumstick has pledged to help fund Clean Up Kits, empowering Aussies to run their own local Clean Ups. Partnership focuses on protecting places where people live, work, and play.
- Colesgold partnerGold Partner. Partnership began when single-use plastic bags were removed from Coles supermarkets in mid-2018. Coles continues to raise funds to support Clean Up Australia in its mission to inspire and mobilise communities.
- Cleanawaysilver partnerSilver Partner. 2026 marks 10 years of partnership between Clean Up Australia and Cleanaway. Partnership is founded on shared values to make a sustainable future possible together.
- Oatessilver partnerSilver Partner. Oates brings 130 years of combined cleaning experience and aims to promote sustainability and responsible waste disposal to all Australians.
- Amazonsilver partnerSilver Partner. Amazon supports Clean Up Australia by distributing hundreds of thousands of Clean Up kits for Clean Up Australia Day across the nation via Amazon's logistics network.
- Coles Liquorbronze partnerBronze Partner. Coles Liquor supports Clean Up Australia by donating 50c from each bottle of Drop of Good sold, contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
- Unilevereducation partnerEducation Partner. Unilever is re-designing packaging to use less plastic and make it easier to recycle. Together with Unilever, Clean Up Australia aims to eliminate litter and mobilise Australians. Unilever also funds resources and curriculum-linked lesson plans for schools.
- McDonald's Australiafounding partnerFounding Partner. McDonald's has supported Clean Up Australia since its inception in 1989. Each Clean Up Australia Day campaign, McDonald's restaurants across Australia get involved and support the effort to remove litter.
- Hickmans | Hunt & HuntcoreHonorary Lawyers providing commercial legal advice at no or reduced cost, and taking part in Clean Up Australia Day each year. Also supports organisations through sponsorships, pro bono advice, committee, and board memberships.
- Ernst & Young (EY)coreProvides auditing services and practical advice to the Clean Up Australia team at no or reduced cost.
- Spark Foundry AustraliacoreFull-service media agency with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Provides media buying services across Television, Out-of-Home, Digital, and Print to amplify Clean Up Australia's message.
- UberbrandcoreFull-service branding agency based in Sydney providing design, digital marketing, and strategic planning skills to raise awareness and amplify Clean Up Australia's mission.
- Ubuntu FoundationkeyFounded by Carolyn Vincent, Ubuntu Foundation fosters unity and addresses disconnects between community and environment. Supports Clean Up Australia's work through community Clean Up events across Queensland, helping people connect with each other and the environment.
- Infoxchange (Asia-Pacific Digital Transformation Program)keyInfoxchange administered the Google.org-funded Asia-Pacific Digital Transformation Program, under which Clean Up Australia developed a litter-tracking app as part of its AI-powered solutions for nonprofits.
- Landscape Recovery FoundationkeyPartnering with Clean Up Australia and East Coast Catchments for the Great East Coast Clean Up — one month of community environmental action across beaches, parks, and waterways along Tasmania's east coast.
- No More ButtskeyEnvironmental charity advocating for protection from tobacco product waste impacts. In collaboration with Clean Up Australia, compiled a first-of-its-kind resource listing all current safe disposal places for vapes in Australia.
- CitizenBluekeyCitizenBlue mobilises involvement in the NSW Return and Earn container deposit scheme through its inner Sydney depot. Clean Up Australia is a proud beneficiary, with CitizenBlue contributing to combating waste pollution in Sydney.
- The Laptop InitiativeminorNational campaign partner redirecting usable laptops from landfill into the hands of people who need them, in partnership with Clean Up Australia.
- Tasman CouncilkeySupporting 'Let's Clean Up Our Patch' — a month-long Clean Up initiative to tidy up the Tasman and Forestier Peninsula, supported since 2019.
- Albury City CouncilminorPartner in 'Greening the Green' program working with local sporting organisations to reduce soft plastic waste and support the circular economy.
- Tamar Natural Resource ManagementminorRuns 'Catch it in the Catchment' yearly campaign in partnership with Clean Up Australia, catching litter from the Tamar estuary catchment in Tasmania.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Clean Up Australia competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Keep Britain Tidy: UK-based environmental charity running flagship campaigns (Great British Spring Clean, Tidy Britain) on a comparable event-driven volunteer mobilisation model. Same playbook applied to a different geography with similar council partnerships and litter data publications.
Direct peers
- Keep America Beautiful: Established US nonprofit (founded 1953) focused on litter prevention, community beautification, and recycling. Comparable national-scale volunteer mobilisation, branded flagship events, corporate partner ecosystem (Coca-Cola, etc.), and litter data publications.
- Ocean Conservancy: US-based ocean conservation nonprofit best known for the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), a flagship annual volunteer cleanup event with citizen-science data collection. Closest international analogue to Clean Up Australia Day in structure, scale, and data-output model.
- Surfrider Foundation: US-based environmental nonprofit focused on beach and waterway protection through volunteer cleanups and policy advocacy. Highly comparable event-driven volunteer mobilisation model, citizen-science beach cleanup data, and corporate partnership funding mix.
- Tangaroa Blue Foundation: Australian marine debris nonprofit operating the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) with citizen-science data collection across thousands of cleanup sites. Direct peer in citizen-science litter data methodology and Australian volunteer mobilisation.
- Take 3 for the Sea: Australian nonprofit focused on reducing plastic pollution in oceans through the simple 'take 3 pieces of rubbish' behavioural message. Comparable Australian footprint, education-led volunteer mobilisation, and school engagement programs.
- Keep Australia Beautiful: Australia's other major community-based environmental mobilisation nonprofit. Directly comparable in mission (litter prevention, community cleanups), national scope, and Tidy/Clean Up event model — operating the long-running Tidy Towns program and similar council/corporate partnerships.
- Plastic Free Foundation: Australian-based nonprofit behind Plastic Free July, a global movement mobilising households and businesses to reduce single-use plastic. Directly comparable in Australian origin, community-led behavioural change model, and corporate partnership model.
- Planet Ark: Australian environmental nonprofit focused on recycling, circular economy, and resource efficiency. Comparable Australian base, corporate partnership model (National Recycling Week), and education-driven behaviour change mandate — adjacent verticals (recycling vs cleanup) with overlapping stakeholders.
Emerging players
- Litterati: App-based platform that crowdsources litter data collection through geotagged photos. Closest technology peer to Clean Up Australia's litter-tracking app deployment, with overlapping citizen-science mission and corporate ESG data products.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Clean Up Australia social profiles
Digital presenceClean Up Australia financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clean Up Australia leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Clean Up Australia funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clean Up Australia M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clean Up Australia
What does Clean Up Australia do?
Clean Up Australia mobilises Australian communities, schools, and businesses to participate in volunteer-led environmental cleanup events, providing free Clean Up kits, public liability insurance, and event registration through an online platform. It runs the flagship annual Clean Up Australia Day (first Sunday in March), The Great Spring Clean Up (September-October), targeted Clean Up Projects with partner councils, paid Business Clean Up events, and Change Makers team-building workshops. The organisation also publishes an annual Litter Report (since 1991), runs an Education Hub with curriculum-linked school resources, and operates advocacy and merchandise channels to advance waste prevention and circular economy outcomes.
Is Clean Up Australia a public or private company?
Clean Up Australia is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Clean Up Australia founded?
Clean Up Australia was founded in 1989. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Clean Up Australia based?
Clean Up Australia is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Clean Up Australia make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships and Sponsorship, business Event Fees and government Grants.
Who are Clean Up Australia's main competitors?
Keep Britain Tidy is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Keep America Beautiful, Ocean Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, Tangaroa Blue Foundation, Take 3 for the Sea, Keep Australia Beautiful, Plastic Free Foundation and Planet Ark. Litterati is listed as an emerging player.
Does Clean Up Australia have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clean Up Australia.
What industry is Clean Up Australia in?
Clean Up Australia's product category is Environmental Community Mobilization Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALAAAE, Street & Public Space Litter Collection (Municipal Cleaning), with a secondary code of BPAIACAH, Solid Waste & Recycling Services Administration. Its NAICS code is 5629 and its SIC code is 4953.