It has been another brilliant year for the Big Paddle Clean-up with a record number of people taking part – thank you!
The Big Paddle Clean-up, which ran from 25 May to 9 June, engaged an incredible 3,699 volunteers.
About 7,398 hours were spent out on our precious waterways across the country collecting all kinds of junk.
Paddlers filled 1,888 sacks with rubbish, and pulled out much larger items like crash barriers, fridges, chairs, shopping trolleys, toilets and fire extinguishers from the water.
Within those sacks, you recorded 7,809 plastic bottles, 2,374 glass bottles, 4,735 cans and 10,613 plastic food wrappers, plus a whole host of unusual items.
Olympic hopeful Adam Burgess took part in the Big Paddle Clean-up
Chantelle Grundy, Access and Environment Lead at Paddle UK, said:
“What an incredible achievement to remove so much junk and plastic pollution from our blue spaces by so many committed volunteers from the paddling community.
“There have been school pupils, Sea Cadets, Scout Groups, Royal Air Force Cadets, the Army Cadet Force, Boy’s Brigades, paddle clubs and Delivery Partners all coming together with one objective, to improve the health of our blue spaces and help wildlife.
“I want to thank everyone who has supported the Big Paddle Cleanup and made such an immense difference to their local waters.”
A huge thanks to ERDINGER Alkoholfrei, one of Paddle UK’s commercial partners, for their support with the Big Paddle Clean-up.
The difference you make
We are in a unique position as paddlers as we can collect litter and plastic from places others are unable to access.
By taking part in a paddle cleanup you’ll be:
- Helping to minimise pollution and improve the health of our waterways
- Helping to protect wildlife
- Connecting with nature
- Enjoying the wellbeing benefits of being in blue spaces
Join in the action
See how to organise a paddle cleanup here >>
Use this toolkit for MP letters and media press releases, plus logos and posters you can use >>
Once you have completed your paddle cleanup, log it with us here >>
We’ll add your cleanup to our map and tell the government about the important work you are doing.
Don’t forget to use our hashtag #BigPaddleCleanup and tag Paddle UK in your social media posts too so we can see your cleanups!
