Clearing your local canal or river of junk can be hugely beneficial, and not just for the environment. Taking part in a Paddle Cleanup can be great for your mental wellbeing also. So, here’s our guide on how to organise your own paddle cleanup with family, friends or colleagues.
Gather friends or family and make a plan
Firstly, think about where you want to do it and any barriers you may face. Do you need a river licence for that stretch of river, for example. Consider if it is safe to carry out a clean on your chosen waterway. Completing a risk assessment is key to ensuring you prepare for all risks. You can download the Paddle UK assessment template below.
Think about equipment
Setting off with all the kit you’ll need is essential. Here is a quick checklist of our must haves:
- Gloves
- Bags/Buckets
- Hand Sanitisers
- Litter Pickers
- First Aid Kit
- Sharps Box
Plan a date and time to meet
While every bit helps, a mass cleanup can have a great impact on an area and community. So make sure everyone knows when and where to meet.
Remember, not everyone needs to be on the water, people can clean up the banks from paths and walkways next to the water.
Promote
Social media is a great tool for promoting a clean up. You can reach new people outside your usual group, making the event even bigger.
Make sure to tag Paddle UK and use #BigPaddleCleanUp on your posts.
Tell your MP
Make sure your local MP knows. Invite them along to help out. If they accept make sure you reach out and let us know!
Write to them after the cleanup to, telling the difference you’ve made and how much rubbish you have taken away. It is important they know about the great work going on.
Stop the press!
Reach out to local news outlets. Local newspapers, radio stations and Regional TV. They love some good news stories of people doing great things.
We aren’t saying they will definitely get back to you, or report on your cleanup, but who knows!
Tell Us About Your Clean Up
Once you’ve disposed of the rubbish properly, cleaned your kit and hands, and had a well earned drink, let us know what you found! We love to know how many bags of rubbish people clear from our waterways:
- Upload your Paddle Cleanup to our Cleanups map linked here.
- Send us a quick write up along with some photos to mediaenquiries@resourcelibrary.paddleuk.org.uk. We try to share as many stories as we can.
We collate all the information you send us to support cleaning up our waterways, including the shocking statistics about what people find in cleanups each year.
