Barnes Tidy Towpath Group

Has anything changed during the two months since Barnes Tidy Towpath volunteers collected 1,000 plastic cups from Small Profit Dock during two hours in July?

On 19 September, we completed the annual Big Bottle Count to support Thames21 in gathering data for the #OneLess campaign. Volunteers collected plastic bottles from the same area, counted them and noted their brands. Additionally, we plucked all the plastic drinks cups we could from the same 1,500m2 patch of foreshore. Our tally showed 122 plastic bottles, dwarfed by 638 plastic cups.

Ok, it’s below 1,000 but remains shockingly high and a clear indication that behavioural modification is needed. Let’s be honest, most of us are lazy. The pubs and other establishments should not provide clients with single use plastic cups. Please support those who have switched to re-usable cups (e.g., The Blue Anchor) and ask those haven’t yet, to do so.

You are welcome to participate in our next clean up - just check the "Upcoming Dates" tab on the website for details and to reserve a place, please email in advance to: barnestidytowpathgroup@gmail.com. Similarly, contact Putney Tidy Towpath Group at Putneytt@outlook.com for their dates and to reserve a place.  You can keep up with progress made with the In The Drink scheme which encourages pubs and cruise boats to switch from single use plastic cups to re-usable ones.