A LinkedIn post about a pile of rubbish dumped on the Utrechtsestraat in Amsterdam has resulted in plans to launch a city-wide clean-up day, organised by locals and backed by city officials.

Victor Knapp, co-founder of digital marketing agency Monks, said his item had been seen by more than 500,000 people – or half the population of the capital – and generated hundreds of responses, suggestions and “shared frustrations”.

“We also got lots of offers to do something about it, and we’ve decided to jump in and do just that,” he said in a follow-up posting.

“We’re not going to start a new foundation, a political party, do any fundraising and organise galas,” Knapp said. “We’re going to clean up by scaling up existing initiatives. So much goes well and so many people are already busy keeping their pavement, neighbourhood and garbage containers clean.”

The Amsterdam clean-up day will take place on September 19, the day before World Cleanup Day and the organisers hope 3.5% of local residents will take part. City council rubbish collection chief Hester van Buren has thrown her weight behind the plan.

“It’s a fantastic initiative,” she told Dutch News. “As a council we can’t do it alone, and residents and companies have a major role. And this will help make Amsterdammers more aware of the role that they can play.”

A city council published earlier this year showed eight in 10 residents think litter is a constant problem in the city centre.

Groups and individuals which want to join in can get in touch directly with Victor Knaap.