On the 29th of October, we hosted our annual Big Green Canal Clean, bringing together an incredible group of dedicated volunteers to help tidy up our local canal and raise awareness about pollution and environmental protection. Despite the challenging weather, we were thrilled by the strong turnout of passionate students who made the event such a great success!
On the 29th of October, we hosted our annual Big Green Canal Clean, bringing together an incredible group of dedicated volunteers to help tidy up our local canal and raise awareness about pollution and environmental protection.
Despite the challenging weather, we were thrilled by the strong turnout of passionate students who made the event such a great success. The day began with volunteers collecting equipment from our Student Union hubs, where they were provided with gloves, litter pickers, and other supplies. Once gathered, we made our way to the canal, where participants received a short health and safety briefing before being divided into two groups , one which focused on the park area and the other on the canal strip running through our campus.
Throughout the day, volunteers collected an impressive amount of litter from the canal and our local campus, including more than 500 cigarette butts, as well as items ranging from Styrofoam packaging to spent fireworks. These findings offer a powerful reminder of just how important it is to care for the shared spaces we all rely on. A clean environment not only benefits us but also protects the local wildlife that makes our campus such a vibrant place. They also show that when we come together, we can make a real and lasting difference.
Although the event had to finish earlier than expected due to the weather, we still ended the day on a warm and cheerful note with vegan hot chocolate and popcorn kindly provided by ReSUlife. Volunteers shared thoughtful reflections on their experience, describing the Canal Clean on 29 October as “really fun” and offering a generous 5/5 rating. A huge shout-out goes to all the volunteers whose dedication and spirit made the day truly meaningful, despite the poor weather.
As a community, it’s essential that we treat our surroundings with the attention and respect they deserve. Every small action matters. Please take a moment to reflect on how you dispose of your waste and ensure you’re using the designated bins across campus. Small, mindful choices like these help protect our shared spaces and support a cleaner, more sustainable environment. Events like this highlight the ongoing need to safeguard our local environment and community. According to the Canal & River Trust, more than 14 million pieces of plastic waste end up in canals and rivers across England and Wales every year. Initiatives like this and volunteers like ours play a crucial role in helping reduce this impact and contribute to a safer, more sustainable environment for all.
Missed out this time? Don’t worry! There are plenty of upcoming opportunities to get involved and support sustainability on campus.
Check out THIS LINK to explore our amazing volunteer opportunities! You can choose roles that fit your schedule and match your interests.
Stay tuned for more events during next year’s Climate Action Week and join us for more sustainability -focused activities .