Digital Cleanup Day 2025 continued the global effort to tackle digital waste with a strong showing from individuals and organisations alike. Thanks to the combined efforts of all those who participated, an incredible 2.3 million gigabytes of unnecessary data were deleted, saving 575 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
This year, more than 541.8K participants took part across 61 countries and territories. While 2025 saw a dip in participant registrations compared to previous years, the scope of participation and the volume of data cleared shows that the message of digital sustainability continues to resonate worldwide.
With the 2025 edition, Digital Cleanup Day marks five years of action. Since its inception, 1,726,479 people have taken part, collectively erasing millions of gigabytes of digital clutter and helping reduce the environmental toll of our online lives.
“The scale of the data deleted across the years proves that digital awareness is deepening. We’re moving from symbolic gestures to real impact,” said Heidi Solba, President and CEO of Let’s Do It World.
This year’s cleanup prevented the equivalent of 575 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, a testament to the environmental cost of data storage and the vital importance of developing conscious digital habits.
This figure highlights the often-overlooked carbon footprint of our online lives—from emails sitting unread to forgotten files in cloud storage. By tackling this invisible waste, participants have helped ease pressure on energy-hungry data centres, which continue to grow as digital consumption soars.
As Digital Cleanup Day sees its fifth year of action, the initiative reflects a growing cultural shift. More companies, schools, and individuals are embracing digital housekeeping not just as a once-a-year event, but as part of ongoing sustainability practices.
With 32% of all UN member states taking part in 2025—representing nearly a third of the globe—the movement is steadily growing roots. In an increasingly digital world, managing invisible waste is becoming as vital as cleaning up physical litter.
Let’s Do It World thanks each and every person who participated in this year’s campaign. We are grateful for your ongoing commitment to improving the health of our planet’s ecosystem!
The next challenge? Turning awareness into habit. And as DCD moves into its sixth year, it’s clear that every deleted email, cleared folder, and unsubscribed newsletter is a small but powerful step toward a cleaner, greener digital future.
Find out more about how Digital Cleanup Day’s activities contribute to educating the population of the vital need to address digital waste on our dedicated website. Together, we can clean up our digital world!
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