Environmental Awareness Days
January
Veganuary
Veganuary – 1st January – 31st January 2026 Here’s a great environmental awareness day to kick off the year! Throughout the month of January, Veganuary invites and inspires people to explore a vegan lifestyle. In 2023, 706,965 people worldwide signed up for a Veganuary, which increased to 1.8 million in January 2024. It’s a great way to discover how to cook with different vegetables and allows you to be as creative as you want. Their website has a wealth of advice and recipes to get started. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Houseplant Week
Houseplant Week UK 6th January 2025 – 12th January 2025 Usually held annually during the second week of January, this week celebrates the benefits of having indoor plants. Indoor plants not only look good, they can help purify the air and there are so many low maintenance options if you’re worried about forgetting to watering them. I’ve got some Peace Lilies and a spider plant. I’ve also three snake plants; Thor, Loki and Hela (one for Marvel fans!) If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Big Garden Birdwatch
Big Garden Birdwatch – 24th January – 26th January 2025 This is a great opportunity to do with little ones. All you have to do is sit in the garden, be very quiet and count the birds you see. If you don’t have a garden, it’s fine; sit in the park, watch from your balcony, anyone can take part. Birds play an important role in nature and with our help, the RSPB can keep an eye on the population of our feathered friends. The results for 2024 were amazing Check out their website to see how to get involved. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
February
World Wetlands Day
World Wetlands Day – 2nd February 2026 World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually to mark the anniversary of The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands which was signed on 2nd February 1971 to protect wetland habitats which play such a vital role within our ecosystem. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
International Polar Bear Day
International Polar Bear Day – 27th February 2026 Held annually on 27th February, Polar Bears International founded this day to coincide when polar bear Mums and Cubs are snug and warm in their dens. The focus is to bring awareness about the need for protection of Polar Bears across the Arctic. On average, only half of cubs born will reach adulthood. They are also involved with other valuable conservation projects in the Arctic. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
March
World Wildlife Day
World Wildlife Day – 3rd March 2026 This is a United Nations International day to celebrate the all the wildlife and around the world. Focusing on the importance of why these wildlife and plants are crucial to all life on this planet and why loss of habitat is affecting their survival. This date was specifically chosen to cite the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which was signed in 1973. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
The Big Plastic Count
The Big Plastic Count – 9th March 2026 – 15th March 2026 During a week in March, numerous schools, households, community groups, and businesses will unite to tally their plastic waste. In 2022, nearly 250,000 individuals participated in The Big Plastic Count, uncovering that close to two billion pieces of plastic packaging are discarded each week. This year, your participation can contribute to gathering more evidence, urging UK ministers to take a leading role in global discussions that might ultimately bring an end to plastic pollution. You can register on their website to take part. I took part in 2024! If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Global Recycling Day
Global Recycling Day – 18th March 2026 Here’s another environmental awareness day for your calendar. Knowing that we are using finite resources, we have to look closely at what we are throwing away. This day was created to encourage and focus on why recycling is important and how we can reuse the precious resources we have without taking more from from the environment. Check out their website for facts and figures on recycling and how you can take part to look after the planet for future generations. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Trees Are The Key Awareness Week
Trees Are The Key Awareness Week – 17th March 2025 – 23rd March 2025 Word Forests annual event, they plant trees, build schools, facilitate education and support a raft of women’s empowerment initiatives in rural Kenya. They plant there because trees in the tropics grow up to 10 times faster than anywhere else on the planet, making them absolute beasts at mitigating the climate emergency. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
World Water Day
World Water Day – 22nd March 2026 Held annually on the 22nd March since 1993, this global environmental day focuses on the importance of freshwater. It raises awareness of the 202 billion people around the world who do not have access to safe water. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
The Great British Spring Clean
The Great British Spring Clean – 21st March 2025 – 6th April 2025 This environmental awareness day is one of Keep Britain Tidy‘s big events. They had a great year in 2024, where 400,000 bags of litter were collected by their amazing #LitterHeroes. Keep Britain Tidy has just celebrated it’s 70th year of protecting the environment. If you’re looking to get involved, check out their website. There is a wealth of information for you to take part. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list .
International Day of Zero Waste
International Day of Zero Waste – 30 March 2026 Held on the same day every year, this important date facilitated jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), aims to highlight the importance of reducing waste and promoting waste management in a sustainable way. According to the UNEP “Every year, humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. Without urgent action, the annual waste generation will hit 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050.” The theme for 2025 was to focus attention on the global impacts of fast fashion, by reducing waste and encouraging the industry to create circular solutions. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
April
National Walk to Work Day
National Walk to Work Day – 4th April 2026 This sustainability day is dedicated to encouraging us to walk to walk. Admitted, this means not hitting the snooze button so many times, walking has so many health benefits and according to Well ‘A 20 minute walk per day could cut your risk of premature death by a third.’ Leaving your car at home will reduce carbon emissions and help towards a better future. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Community Garden Week
Community Garden Week – 1st April to 7th April 2025 This is a popular environmental awareness day. This is a week where community gardens and school gardens come together, to support and inspire each other. Creating these gardens for everyone to enjoy. What’s not to love? If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Earth Day
Earth Day – 22nd April 2026 This is one of the biggest environmental awareness days for your calendar. For Earth Day, earthday.org will be demanding a 60% reduction in the production of plastics.Not certain types of plastics, ALL plastics, by 2040. We have all see n the devastating effects plastic has on us and the environment around us so this quite an important one. Check out their website and find out how you can get involved. There is a section on their website where you can learn more about plastics and also a report called The Plastic Waste Maker’s Index showing what companies are most responsible for plastic pollution. Take a guess who is at the top of the list? (paeg 49). The first Earth day was held in 1970 and has been going strong ever since. If you need ideas of how to get your little ones involved, check out some of these printable activities If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Stop Food Waste Day
Stop Food Waste Day – 29th April 2026 So much food is wasted daily and there are so many ways to reduce this; freezing, buying less, donating. 45% of root crops, fruit and vegetables produced globally is lost or wasted per year, that’s way too much waste. There is so much world hunger and there are things we can do. This day focuses on education, check out their website to find practical and creative sustainable solutions of reducing your food waste. If you’d like to get started with tackling food waste, there weekly meal planners will be a great place to start If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
May
No Mow May
No Mow May – 1st May – 31st May 2026 Plantlife’s annual campaign, No Mow May is a pretty simple one to take part in. An easy environmental awareness date – just don’t cut your grass for the month of May. That’s it! The aim is to provide a space for nature to do their thing. According to their website ‘We’ve lost nearly 97% of flower rich meadows since the 1970’s and with them gone are vital food needed by pollinators, like bees and butterflies‘ If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
International Compost Week
International Compost Week – 4th May – 10th May 2025 This annual education initiative is to raise awareness of the importance of composting, from the benefits of composting to the importance of creating healthy soil. You don’t need a lot of space for composting and this week will show you how you can get yourself and little ones involved. This is a great example of the power of collective action. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Endangered Species Day
Endangered Species Day – 15th May 2026 This annual environmental awareness day focuses on the species that are likely to be extinct in the near future and there’s a possibility that we’re losing species before we have even discovered them. There are many reasons for this: exploitation of the environment, depletion of natural resources, habitat loss, and the lack of meaningful climate change action by world leaders. The WWF website keep an updated list of the species that are on the endangered list. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
World Bee Day
World Bee Day – 20th May 2026 Bees are the hardest working creatures on our planet, as they play a critical role in pollinating our food and I don’t think they get the credit they deserve. There are over 250 species of bees. Learn more about bees and how we can help them by planting wildflowers and preserving the flora we have. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Water Saving Week
Water Saving Week – 12th May 2025 – 16th May 2025 There are so many people around the world who do not have access to fresh drinking water. Water is a vital source for all life on this planet and this week is a national initiative dedicated to bringing awareness and promoting ways in which we can save it and reuse water. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
National Children’s Gardening Week
National Children’s Gardening Week – 24th May 2025 – 1st June 2025 This is a great way to celebrate and encourage the enjoyment gardening hold for our children. Kids aren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty and National Children’s Gardening Week is a great way to teach the next generation about the importance of gardening. You don’t need to have a large space for gardening, it can be about maintaining school gardens, gardens in our local communities or in your local park. This is one of the sustainability events that is popular up and down the country with a view to make our environment a better place. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
June
World Environment Day
World Environment Day – June 5th 2026 This world day is held on the same day every year, which is dedicated to our environment. This United Nations Environment Programme has the main aim of focussing on the only home we all share and how we need to look after it for the next generations to come. If you’re looking for some great ways to help children learn about environmental protection and more about the Earth’s environment, this is a great place to start. Let’s make a positive impact. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
The Great Big Green Week
The Great Big Green Week – 7th June 2025 – 15th June 2025 This is one of the UK’s largest celebration of actions taking my local communities to tackle climate change and to protect nature. This can involve anything from litter picking to writing to your MP. Check out their website to see how you can plan an event in your local area and get your community involved in looking after the only home we have. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day – 8th June 2026 For a healthy planet, a healthy ocean is vital for ALL life on this planet. As a global environmental awareness day event, this 2024’s theme is ‘Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate’ aimed at campaigning and encouraging our leaders to make the decisions needed to preserve our oceans and make climate action and global warming an urgent priority. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
National Clean Air Day
National Clean Air Day – 18th June 2026 According to their website ‘Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK.’ We all have the right to access clean air as pollution causes so many health problems, especially in children. Their website has a wealth of resources where you can get involved in this important day. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
World Refill Day
World Refill Day – 16th June 2026 Held annually on the same day, World Refill Day encourages us to ditch our single-use plastic bottles and using refillable bottles where we’re out and bout. Millions of people get involved around the world. They’ve created an app to find out where you local refilling station is. It’s time to join the refill revolution. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
World Rainforest Day
World Rainforest Day – 22nd June 2026 Working with various organisations and indigenous people, their mission is to highlight and celebrate the importance of our rainforests which are at threat due to human activity. This is a global movement with the aim of protecting and restoring the rainforests we have left. Filled with biodiversity and are home to so many species, some of which we may not have even discovered yet. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
July
Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July – 1st July 2026 to 31st July 2026 This month-long environmental awarenesss campaign has grown year on year encouraging use to adopt sustainable habits to reduce our plastic consumption. We don’t realise how much power we have as small changes can make a huge difference. #PlasticFreeJuly is a great way to find ideas on what you can do for this month. I’m always talking about reducing my plastic consumption, check out my profile on Instagram and follow me. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Don’t Step on a Bee Day
Don’t Step on a Bee Day – 10th July 2026 This day is observed annually in the UK. Bees are amazing pollinators and they are key to our long-term survival playing a massive role in balancing our ecosystem. If you’d like to know more, check out my blog on why they are so important and how you can help them. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
The Big Butterfly Count
The Big Butterfly Count – 18th July 2025 – 10th August 2025 This is a UK wide survey to access the help of our butterflies. It’s so easy to sign up and take part and it’s a great way to help encourage little ones to care about nature. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Love Parks Week
Love Parks Week – 25th July 2025 – 3rd August 2025 Having access to green spaces is vital to our mental health and this week is dedicated to celebrating these green spaces and everyone who contributes to them. Go for a walk in the park and enjoy nature and the blue skies. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
National Bog Day
National Bog Day – 26th July 2026 Held annually on the fourth Sunday in July ‘in celebration of bogs, fens, swamps & marshes is an opportunity to raise awareness of peatlands – the benefits they provide, the threats they face and the ways we can all help protect them.’ If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
August
National Allotments Week
National Allotments Week – 11th August 2025 – 17th August 2025 This week is where the The National Allotment Society encourages us to the benefits of having an individual or community allotment. They also promote the benefits of having healthy soil. Check their website to see how you can get involved. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
September
Second Hand September
Second Hand September – 1st September 2025 to 30th September 2025 This campaign is a month-long annual celebration by Oxfam to promote buying second hand and reduce waste. By buying second hand, we can reduce our carbon footprint. I’m a huge fan of #SecondHandSeptember and here’s what I bought in September 2023. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Organic September
Organic September – 1st September 2025 to 30th September 2025 This annual campaign is led by the Soil Association who work tirelessly to raise awareness of the benefits organic farming. This isn’t just important for our health, but the planet too. This environmental day is one for the diary. Artificial fertilisers are depleting the nutrients we need in our soils to grow food. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Zero Waste Week
Zero Waste Week – 1st September 2025 – 6th September 2025 This environmental campaign focuses on helping and encouraging homes, schools, businesses and community groups to find ways on how to reduce waste that is destined for landfill. Check out their website to see how to get involved. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer – 16th September 2025 This is a key environmental day in history of when, in 1987, the the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was adopted. ‘As the treaty turns 35 on Ozone Day, we will remember how the Montreal Protocol ended one of the biggest threats ever to face humanity as a whole: the depletion of the ozone layer. When the world found out that ozone-depleting gases used in aerosols and cooling were creating a hole in the sky, they came together. They showed that multilateralism and effective global cooperation worked and they phased out these gases. Now the ozone layer is healing, allowing it once again to shield humanity from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.’ If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
World Dolphin Day
World Dolphin Day – 12th September 2025 Held annually on the same day, this awareness day was established to raising awareness and the vital need for protecting these beautiful marine mammals. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Great British Beach Clean
Great British Beach Clean – 19th September 2025 – 28th September 2025 This is a great initiative where thousands of people give involved in cleaning up our beaches allowing people to enjoy our beaches without having to avoid rubbish. As their flagship event ‘Litter data collected on beach cleans drives our conservation work, helps us to campaign for change, and also feeds into the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC).’ It’s the perfect way to get our little ones involved in caring about their environment, besides, who doesn’t enjoy some fresh air and time away from the TV? I’ve taken my daughter to the beach to litter pick, find out how we got on. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
World Clean Up Day
World Clean Up Day – 20th September 2025 This global annual event had some amazing results in 2023; 19.1 million participants took part from 91% of listed UN nations and collected a whopping 205,000 tons of waste! What an amazing achievement. I’m sure 2025 will be another massive year for this fabulous campaign. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
FSC Forest Week
FSC Forest Week – 20th September 2025 – 26th September 2025 Each year, the FSC Forest Week is a global initiative that urges all those responsible for forests to raise public consciousness regarding the significance of sustainable forestry. The objective is to motivate these consumers to make a difference by selecting products that carry FSC certification. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
World Car Free Day
World Car Free Day – 22nd September 2025 This annual event is led by Living Streets, promoting and encouraging us to leave our car sat home and allowing everyone to experience traffic-free roads. Their website has some great examples of how other people travelled to celebrate World Car Free Day. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
October
Unblocktober
Unblocktober – 1st October 2025 – 31st October 2025 This annual, month-long campaign was started to create and promote awareness on how we can improve the health of our sewers, drains and seas. First launched in 2019, thousand of people up and down the UK have made pledges to change their bathroom and kitchen habits. Many of us don’t realise the wider environmental implications of what we put down our drains. Check out their website for tips on the different ways you can change your habits. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
International Walk to School Month
International Walk to School Month – 1st October 2025 – 31st October 2025 Led by Living Streets, this is a month-long campaign to encourage children and parents to walk to school. Promoting better travel habits that are kinder to the environment, road safety awareness and the fun of exercise, there are may ways to get involved. Check out some great #WalkToSchoolStories on their website. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
No Disposable Cup Day
No Disposable Cup day – 4th October 2025 This day is dedicated to not using a disposable cup. Their website states “Daily in the UK we use more than 7 MILLION DISPOSABLE CUPS – 500,000 are dropped on the floor! UK is one of the worst in the World in disposable cup waste using 2.5 billion cups a year – this would create a pile of disposable cup waste as big as the Albert Hall in London!” This one is easy to solve. Get yourself a reusable cup. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Recycle Week
Recycle Now Recycle week – October 2025 TBC This annual event, hosted by Recycle Now, serves as their primary initiative to promote and foster recycling throughout the entire country. They’re really keen to get schools involved in this great initiative and learn how the can get involved. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
International E-Waste Day
International E-waste Day – 14th October 2025 Held annually on the same day, International E-Waste Day acts as a platform for heightening awareness regarding the problem of electronic waste. Any organisations that have an issue with E-waste can take part. ‘You can recycle anything with a plug, battery or cable! International E-Waste Day to shed the light on ‘invisible’ electronic waste.’ If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
Water Night
Water Night – 24th October 2025 This annual sustainability day will take place on 24th October 2025 between 5pm to 10pm. To take part, all you have to do is turn off all non-essential taps during this time. This is a great way to encourage use learn about our water use and value this precious resource. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
November
World Vegan Month
World Vegan Month – 1st November 2025 – 30th November 2025 Set up by the Vegan Society, this month-long annual event is to celebrated globally to embrace and promote the vegan movement. If this is something you’ve been thinking about, check out their website as it has a wealth of tips, advice, and recipes so you can take part. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
National Tree Week
National Tree Week – 22nd November – 30th November 2025 Led by the Tree Council, it’s their largest annual event celebrating our trees. This annual event encourages thousands of people in Britain to come together to plant trees, marking the start to tree planting season. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list
December
World Soil Day
World Soil Day – 5th December 2025 This environmental awareness day highlights the importance of the health of our soil and why it is essential for long-term food security. They promote the importance of sustainable agriculture and encourage environmental conservation through education. Without the nutrients in the soil, we won’t be able to grow food. As someone once said to me “We can’t grow food in dirt”. If you’d like a list of environmental awareness days and sustainability awareness days for the UK, here’s the full list