18
March
2019
|
16:20
Europe/London

Plastic Free City: River Thames at Queenhithe gets litter clean-up

Volunteers took part in a litter pick and data survey on the River Thames at Queenhithe this weekend (Saturday 16 March) as part of the City of London Corporation’s Plastic Free City initiative.

Representatives from the City of London Corporation, charity Thames21, the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators, and financial services firms Nomura and Goldman Sachs helped to pick litter and conduct a survey of what was found.

The survey will contribute to crucial data gathered by Thames21 for its award-winning Thames plastic citizen science monitoring programme.

The City Corporation’s Plastic Free City campaign helps Square Mile firms reduce the use of single-use plastics by signing up to a pledge scheme. It will also see 10 new City drinking fountains installed this year.

City pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants are also signing up to become part of a network of water bottle refill stations, where the public can refill reusable water bottles – all found on the Refill app.

Jeremy Simons, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Environmental Services Committee, said:

“These litter picks help remove plastic from our waterways and build a better picture of the health of the river.

“Our Plastic Free City campaign will transform the way the Square Mile approaches single-use plastics.

“There is a huge public desire to reduce the impact plastic is having on our environment and it is important that City workers, residents and visitors understand how they can be more sustainable.”

Debbie Leach, CEO of Thames21, said:

“In the absence of statutory monitoring, our award-winning citizen science programme provides essential monitoring of the plastic impact on the Thames.

“Meanwhile our clean-ups help remove an average of 300 tonnes of waste from the Thames annually, much of it plastic. We couldn’t do our monitoring or clean-ups without volunteers or support from business.

“If you’re an individual wanting to do more on plastic we urge you to join our free citizen science training, and if you’re a business please consider supporting our work through a corporate clean up or helping fund one of our projects. “

The City of London Corporation acts as the London Port Health Authority, the largest port health authority in the UK.

As the London Port Health Authority, the City of London Corporation is responsible for all port health functions on the Thames, including imported food and feed controls, infectious disease controls, food safety and hygiene including water quality, shellfish controls, vessel inspections and issue of ship sanitation documentation and environmental controls.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

About Thames21

Thames21 connects people with rivers by putting healthy rivers back at the heart of everyday life. We improve and restore rivers, educate and empower the community and campaign for positive change for the good of people and the environment.

Media enquires

Carl Locsin, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3654 / M 07388 862 229

E carl.locsin@cityoflondon.gov.uk