Trash Hero

Cleaning Up the Planet, One Community at a Time

Trash Hero is a worldwide volunteer movement that mobilizes communities to reduce, eliminate, and recycle plastic waste through direct action and education.

At the heart of their work are free, public cleanup events designed to spark behavior change and inspire systemic shifts. Anyone can participate—no experience or registration required.

Through local chapters, Trash Hero empowers schools, businesses, and entire communities to reduce their plastic use, adopt waste separation systems, and engage in upcycling. Practical initiatives such as installing refill stations and distributing reusable bottles and bags help make sustainable choices accessible to all.

For younger generations, the Trash Hero Kids program uses storytelling and playful activities to teach sustainability in a relatable, age-appropriate way. Children follow the character “Trash Hero” and learn how to become heroes themselves—changing their habits and inspiring their peers.

Trash Hero in Numbers (as of mid-2023)

• 23,073 cleanups organized‍
• 562,236 volunteers mobilized, including 154,050 children under 16‍
• 2,654,998 kg of waste collected‍
• 111,092 reusable stainless-steel bottles distributed
  → Estimated 42.5 million plastic bottles avoided‍
• 29,445 reusable shopping bags distributed
  → Estimated 10.8 million plastic bags avoided‍
• 579 active water refill stations
• 23,330 children's books printed in 8 languages
• 170 active local chapters in:
  Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Georgia, and Kuwait
• Estimated 2,200+ tonnes of CO₂ emissions prevented

Trash Hero shows that real change begins at the grassroots. Through education, local engagement, and practical solutions, they’re turning everyday people into environmental heroes.