Whole lot of crap: Britain win inaugural litter-picking World Cup in Japan

In Tokyo’s inaugural SpoGomi (litter-picking) World Cup, dedicated to addressing environmental concerns, Britain emerged as the winner among 21 global teams participating in a litter-picking initiative.

Teams, hailing from countries like Australia and Brazil, undertook a 90-minute litter collection challenge on the streets of Shibuya and Omotesando, sorting their findings into appropriate categories. 

The UK’s team, aptly named “The North Will Rise Again,” clinched victory by amassing 9,046.1 points and collecting 57.27 kilograms (126.26 lbs) of rubbish, outperforming the Japanese hosts.

Team captain Sarah Parry reflected on the experience, acknowledging the event’s dual focus on sport and ecological awareness. Parry emphasised the lessons learned about the urgent need to address ocean pollution and reduce litter, highlighting the broader impact beyond the competition.

Despite Japan’s renowned cleanliness, some teams found the challenge of locating litter due to the country’s high standards of hygiene.

SpoGomi, a term derived from combining the Japanese word for trash, “Gomi,” with an abbreviation of “sport,” originated in 2008 to encourage public litter collection. 

The concept has gained popularity, with 230 contests held in Japan this year alone. The SpoGomi World Cup, organised by the Nippon Foundation, aimed to raise awareness of environmental issues, particularly plastic pollution in oceans. 

Executive Director Mitsuyuki Unno highlighted the event’s dual purpose: making those unaware of marine waste problems recognise the issue and providing opportunities for individuals wanting to take environmental actions. 

The success of the inaugural event underscores the global resonance of environmental consciousness, with plans already in place for the second SpoGomi World Cup in 2025.