Asda teams up with Canal & River Trust for one of the country’s largest canal clean-ups

Asda and Canal & River Trust are teaming up to carry out one of the country’s largest and most ambitious canal clean-ups.

The ‘Asda Big Canal Clean-Up’ is a week-long initiative (2-6 September) that will cover a 10-mile stretch of waterways that pass through the city of Leeds which are looked after by waterway and wellbeing charity Canal & River Trust.

Starting at Newlay Locks on Monday 2nd September and finishing at Thwaites Mills on Friday 6th September, the clean-up will take place along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and the Aire & Calder Navigation. Hundreds of colleagues will take to the water on paddleboards, canoes and boats, to collect plastic and rubbish littered on the water and along the banks.

Chris Brown, Asda’s Senior Director for Sustainable Business, said:

“As a proud Leeds-based company, we want everyone to be able to enjoy the waterways in our city, free from litter. We’re committed to tackling plastic waste in our own operations, but also have a rolling programme of litter picks in communities across the UK to remove plastic and other litter from our local environments.”
The nation’s canal and rivers go through such a diversity of cities, towns and villages and this is reflected in our volunteers.”

Sean McGinley, Yorkshire & North East director at Canal & River Trust said:

“Canal & River Trust is on a mission to eradicate plastics from our vast network of canals and rivers – helping us all to live in better, more beautiful neighbourhoods, whilst tackling a global issue, and making life better by water.

“We’re really excited to be partnering with Asda to realise this ambitious project to help look after our canals, as beautiful, inspiring places for people to enjoy. Volunteering with the Trust is a great opportunity for businesses and individuals alike to discover their local waterway, have fun while making a difference.”

Asda House sits on the banks of the Aire & Calder Navigation and as one of the largest employers in the city, Asda wanted to partner with the waterway and wellbeing charity to give back to the local community, which it already does through litter picks and other activities in the communities surrounding its stores.

The big litter pick is part of Asda’s commitment to tackle unnecessary plastic and the retailer has already removed 6,500 tonnes of own brand plastic from across the business over the past 18 months.
Canal & River Trust are the waterway and wellbeing charity that look after 316 miles of waterways across Yorkshire and North East England and 2,000 miles in England and Wales. Earlier this year the Trust released its report on plastic pollution and launched its Plastics Challenge campaign.

To find out about the Canal & River Trust’s Plastics Challenge and to read the research report, visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/get-involved or follow on social media @CanalRiverTrust #PlasticsChallenge

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