Around 80% of all the debris in our oceans and seas originally comes from inland, according to estimates, so the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is asking all its members and the wider public to help reduce this amount by joining an existing litter pick or by organising their own.
There are a number of worthwhile clean up events already happening around the UK this year. To make it easier for you to find out about them, the BMC has brought all the details together in one place on its events calendar. The events will soon be integrated on the UIAA Respect the Mountains calendar.
The BMC is also keen for its member, the wider public to take the initiative and organise their own event within the UK. Whether you simply take a bag and a litter picker with you next time you go to your local crag or wish to arrange a clean-up event of the entire Pennine Way with your friends, family or local club, the BMC can help. Details of how to arrange a successful event can be found in a resource pack along with a template risk assessment. The BMC will also provide handheld litter pickers (that can be recycled once they are no longer in use) and re-useable, biodegradable bin bags. Climbers and mountaineers who are members of associations affiliated with the UIAA are encouraged to take part in any events should they be visiting the UK.
DOWNLOAD: The H2O Resource Pack
DOWNLOAD: The H2O Risk Assessment Template
JOIN: The H2O Facebook Group
SET A DATE: On the H2O Event Calendar
The BMC has also joined other leading environmental charities, coordinated by Wildlife and Countryside Link to urge the UK Government to phase out all non-essential single-use plastics by 2025 to tackle the scourge of plastic pollution. This could save more than 4,000 billion pieces of unnecessary single-use plastic waste being consumed in the UK between 2026-2042, helping to slash the ‘toxic plastic soup’ ending up in our oceans, rivers and countryside.
FOR MORE INFO: Visit the H2O Campaign Hub
