Kids. Small – but MIGHTY – in the fight against litter!

by Madeleine Coyle, KAB Copywriter (Volunteer)

Empowering kids to take Environmental Action

Australia, we have a big litter problem–and we need everyone’s help to solve it! And that especially includes kids and young people. So read on please grownups, and let’s find out how we can raise the voices of children and empower them to take action against this rather untidy issue!

Why involve kids in Environmental Action?

Young people will inherit this planet, so they deserve a seat at the table when we discuss and take action against environmental issues. Children are the most adversely impacted by environmental harm, yet their voices are largely overlooked.

Which is an injustice to young people and the planet.

Because despite their smaller stature, kids are BIG on resourcefulness, creativity, intutitiveness and determination. Research has shown that children have a vital role in tackling our planet’s issues, because they are the future decision-makers¹.

“Even if you’re little you can do a lot, you mustn’t let a little thing like ‘little’ stop you. If you sit around and get on top you, might as well be saying you think that it’s okay, and that’s not right!”

Matilda The Musical, 2012

A bit about KAB Week (4 – 10 August 2025)

If you were a child of the 80s and 90s, then let’s pause to take a quick sidestep down Memory Lane… (WARNING: intense nostalgia ahead!)

Remember this tune? Do The Right Thing 90’s Anti-Litter Commercial (Keep Australia Beautiful National). And for those wanting to take a longer nostalgic journey, this is the playlist for you 👉  Vintage Do the Right Thing Ads.

Okay, now back to 2025! Keep Australia Beautiful is still going as strong as this tune, including our national awareness campaign week: KAB WEEK. During this week, we aim to engage and challenge the Australian community, while encouraging long-term behavioural changes–changes that we can all carry on long after the week is done!

This year’s theme: “It Starts with Us – Picking Up the Pieces for Australia as we look to rebuild and restore for future generations.” We encourage people of all ages to get out and “pick up the pieces”, an activity that children can get activity involved in.

How Kids Can Organise Their Own Clean-Up Event

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Get Permission & Support

• Ask a parent, teacher, or community leader to help you plan and supervise.
• Check with your local council or school to make sure the clean-up location is safe and allowed.

Pick a Spot

• Choose a park, beach, playground, or local street that needs tidying up.
• Make sure it’s safe (no busy roads or dangerous areas).

Choose a Date & Time

• Pick a day when friends or classmates are free (weekend or after school).

Gather Friends & Helpers

• Ask friends, classmates, neighbours, or your family to join in.
• Make posters or a group chat to spread the word.

Get the Right Gear

• Gloves (gardening gloves or disposable).
• Bags for rubbish and recycling (label them or use different colours).
• Tongs for picking up litter.
• Sunscreen, hats, and reusable drink bottles.

Stay Safe

• Wear bright clothes so cars can see you.
• Ask an adult to bring a First Aid kit.
• Don’t touch sharp or dangerous objects—tell an adult.
• Work in teams and stay in sight of adults.

Sort & Dispose of Waste

• Separate recyclables from general rubbish.
• Use council bins or take bags home to dispose of properly.

Celebrate & Share

• Take a group photo with all the bags you collected.
• Thank everyone who helped and plan the next clean-up!
• Share your success with your school or on social media (with parent approval). Please tag us so we can see your amazing events!
  #KABWeek2025 #KeepAustraliaBeautiful #LitterFreeAustralia #WildlifeProtection #SustainableFuture #DoTheRightThing #EcoAction

Short on time? Do the 10min Pick Up Pieces Challenge!

Just set aside 10 minutes of your week to pick up litter in your local park, schoolyard, beach or bushland. We want to see your work–share it with us on socials! Don’t forget to tag us!

#KABWeek2025 #10minPickUpPiecesChallenge #10minPickUpPieces #KeepAustraliaBeautiful

BONUS TIPS:

Landcare Australia share their campaign awareness week with us. Contact your closest group to see if they already have an event organised that you can join in on!

If you are organising a large event, have a chat to your local Council before the date to get help removing your collection of rubbish.

Make it a game, with Golden Tickets to find and prizes to win –just like this community group does every year for their town Clean Up day.

End with a treat! Celebrate your hard work with a picnic or BBQ (don’t forget to take home your rubbish!).

FAQs

“What do we do if we find sharp or dangerous litter?”

Organise a plan before the event for potential unsafe, bulky and hazardous items. Your local Council will have some advice here, so give them a call–they will be happy to guide you!

“What about items like batteries and vapes? Can we throw them out?”

Batteries and vapes should not end up in landfill. Chat with your local Council on how to safely dispose of these.

You can also find out more info below:

👉 Battery Recycling

👉 Vape Disposal

“Oh no… it’s forecast to rain on our event. Should we cancel?”

Safety is priority. So, if you do decide to cancel, please consider rescheduling. It doesn’t have to be in KAB Week–any day is a good day to keep Australia beautiful!

“I don’t really want to organise an event… Can I just do it on my own?”

Absolutely, yes! We encourage individuals and families to get out there and pick up litter. We would still love to see your efforts, if you wish to share them with us.

#KABWeek2025 #10minPickUpPiecesChallenge #10minPickUpPieces #KeepAustraliaBeautiful #LitterFreeAustralia #WildlifeProtection #SustainableFuture #DoTheRightThing #EcoAction

Beyond KAB Week: Other ways kids can be Litter Fighters

At Home

• Encourage waste-reduction (eg. packing rubbish-free lunchboxes, buying less plastic, etc.).
• Become a household of Recycling Legends! Research the “ins and outs” of recycling in your area. Start with your local Council’s website and check out Planet Ark | Recycling Near You.

At School

• Start school environmental clubs.
• Organise regular school clean-ups.

In the Community

• Be a Litter Detective–spot problem areas and report to your local Council. The mobile app Snap Send Solve can make this very easy!
• Join a local environmental group. These are volunteer-run and are always in need of enthusiastic enviro-loving people. Try Landcare Victoria or ask your local Council for a list of groups. 

Go Large

• Become a Creative Campaigner–make posters, social media videos (check with your parents!), or art from waste to raise awareness.

Raising a generation of Changemakers

Every action counts. Picking up a single piece of litter means one less piece of rubbish potentially harming our wildlife and delicate ecosystems. By raising Little Fighters, we are not just solving today’s rubbish problem–we are shaping tomorrow’s leaders.

We invite you–no matter your age or size–to get outside during KAB Week and ‘pick up the pieces’!

“Let’s give children opportunities to fall in love with nature because you protect what you love”

— Andrea Koehle Jones

Climate & environmental journalist

Handy Resources and Further Reading

The climate-changed child (UNICEF)

Snap Send Solve

Junior Landcare

Planet Ark | Recycling Near You

Further References

¹ Schill M, Muratore I and Hogg MK (2022) ‘Children’s engagement with environmental issues’, Journal of Marketing Management, 38(9-10), p.866-902, https://doi.org/10.1080/0267257X.2022.2046626