Canal and River Trust is the UK's largest canal charity, caring for a 2,000-mile network of stunning canals and navigable rivers.
Connecting many of the UK's urban and rural areas, we provide essential spaces for wildlife and people, helping us all feel happier and healthier.
Join Our Plastics Challenge
Don't let plastic become part of our nature. Take on a Plastics Challenge litter pick.
Every year, millions of pieces of plastic end up in and around canals, with a significant amount being carried out into oceans, negatively impacting the environment on a global scale.
Plastic rubbish damages vital waterside habitats, such as grassland, hedgerows, banks and reedbeds, destroys precious inland aquatic ecosystems and habitats, impacts our water quality, and endangers species such as aquatic birds, water voles and otters.
By doing a litter pick at your local canal at a time that suits you, you can really make a difference.
What is the Plastics Challenge?
If everyone who visits one of our canals and rivers picks up just one piece of plastic and takes it home, they'd be clean within a year. All we're asking you to do is:
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Visit your local canal and carefully collect any plastic you see
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Dispose of it safely and sustainably by taking it home to recycle
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Spread the word. Take pictures of your pick and use #PlasticsChallenge on social media to encourage others to get involved
Who is this aimed at?
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to get involved
When
24/7
Where
Find a safe location: Decide where to do your Plastics Challenge – urban areas along a canal or river often have the most plastics and litter. However, spots around bridges and where people get on and off the towpath could be great spots to head to.
Visit the Local to You page on the Canal and River Trust website
Cost
Free
How to get involved
Be prepared: Think about what you might need before heading out to take your Plastics Challenge – this could include:
- Gloves or a litter picker if you have one
- Hand wipes or sanitiser
- A bag to collect the plastics and litter to carry home and recycle
- Camera or camera phone to take photos of your Plastics Challenge
For more of our tips to litter pick safely by water and dispose of it correctly, please Visit the Plastics Challenge Guide page on the Canal and River Trust website
Contact details
Phone: 0303 040 4040
Email: fisheries@canalrivertrust.org.uk
For further information
For more information about Canal and River Trust search Canal and River Trust in this directory.
Visit the Canal and River Trust website
Visit the Canal and River Trust Angling Facebook page
