Businesses, government organisations, schools and community groups across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua came together throughout September for World Cleanup Day 2026, clearing more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish from beaches, passages, roadsides and villages.
Led nationally by the National Environment Service (NES), the campaign brought together organisations from across the Cook Islands as part of the global World Cleanup Day movement.
CITC and Prime Foods once again supported the campaign by providing reusable sacks, while NES coordinated collection and weighing and collection, with Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) supporting with waste disposal.
On Rarotonga, participating groups collected more than 1.1 tonnes of waste, while Mauke recorded 49.2 kilograms from its island-wide cleanup. Reports were also received from Aitutaki, with further results still coming in from the Pa Enua.
A wide range of waste was collected, including plastics, cans and metal, glass, general rubbish and bulky items.
NES extends a big meitaki to everyone who registered, volunteered and supported the campaign, and to CITC, Prime Foods and ICI for their continued support.
