Mandela Day is celebrated annually on the 18th of July and this year’s theme is: “Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are”. This year’s focus is to promote community gardening, food gardening and tree planting. Here are 5 ways you can get active for the planet this Mandela Day, right where you are.

In 2009, Nelson Mandela asked the public to celebrate his birthday through community service. Over a decade later and his birthday is still celebrated as a day (and month) to give back and make an impact. At Greenpop we believe that everyone can make an impact, every contribution matters, big or small!

1. Reduce your plastic!

It’s Plastic-Free July, so naturally one of the first things you can do is to reduce your plastic use in your everyday life. Now, this may seem like an impossible feat as almost everything is made of or wrapped in plastic!

But reducing your plastic use is easier than you think. Check out the Plastic-free July website here for more.

2. Get creative with a fun DIY project!

Give new life to an old piece of furniture or clothing piece, or try creating something totally new with items you have lying around in your home or at a vintage market. Check out this DIY tabletop greenhouse, using thrifted photo frames!

3. Pick up trash in your area

With the ever-growing plastic pollution issue, there’s no better time to make a change. You don’t need to drive far to do a cleanup, you can take a walk around your area and pick up any litter you see.

Not only will you be doing some good for the environment, but will also inspire your neighbours to do the same, all whilst making your local neighbourhood a cleaner place to live!

4. Donate the things you no longer use

Need some decluttering at home? Don’t we all! Why not take your unwanted clothing, homeware and other unwanted items no longer in use, and donate them to a hospice/charity shop, or to a local charity organisation. It’s sustainable and a great way to clear up some space whilst doing some good!

5. Sort your recyclables

You can also sort out your recyclable trash at home and drop it off at a recycling depot! Be sure to have the items in recyclable condition, which means giving the recyclables a quick rinse. Check out this useful video for more.

Bonus Tip!

Get involved in the work we do by donating to trees or becoming a fundraising activist for Greenpop! You can also volunteer at one of our planting days to help plant Fynbos at under-greened schools in Cape Town. 

Mandela Day is an annual reminder to spread love and to do good where you can! But let’s not stop here, good deeds don’t need to be limited to the calendar. As the man himself, Nelson Mandela said: “It is in your hands, to make a better world for all who live in it.”

Go out there and make the world a better place!