Lanes Group Hails Success of Unblocktober’s Manchester Canal Clean-Up Event Lanes Group cleans up Manchester’s canals as part of environmental initiative Unblocktober
Lanes Group has welcomed the success of an event to clean up Manchester’s canals, in support of environmental and drain health initiative Unblocktober.
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he event took place on 25th October 2022 under authorisation of the Canal & River Trust, and was supported by local businesses such as Clever Closet and I-COM, as well as members of the general public. The group spent two hours picking up litter on the canal banks in the New Islington area of the city and in that time filled ten bin bags with
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waste left on the banks of the canal. The clean up found a huge range of items on the banks from glass to cotton buds to plastic bags and wet wipes. The initiative was designed to highlight how our waste disposal habits can have a negative impact on the environment, a key message of the Unblocktober campaign. Participants were able to see firsthand how plastic pollution affects our waterways, while exemplifying the goals of Unblocktober by doing their bit to undo some of the damage. The UK has spent decades consistently putting unsuitable items into our drains, including everything from cooking oils to cotton buds, condoms and wet wipes. These items
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can coagulate to create fatbergs that clog our pipes and sewers, or enter waterways and cause huge damage to our environment. Unblocktober wishes to highlight the steps that all of us can take to keep our waterways clear and clean. Jacob Larkin, Lanes’ spokesperson for Unblocktober, said: “This year, the Unblocktober campaign focused on how now is a ‘Time for Action’. We all need to work together to address the ecological and climatic impact of poor drain health, as the environmental challenges we face become more urgent. If everyone does their part, we can make a true difference. www.lancmag.com
