Join eco-activist Lizzie Carr, Founder of the nationwide community movement, Plastic Patrol, to tackle plastic pollution hotspots this weekend.

With demand from the community for action, this is a chance to get involved with environmental initiatives on the ground.

Plastic Patrol will provide FREE paddle boarding clean-ups, on Sunday 28th July in Rochdale at 10am and 12.00pm, as the environmental non-profit embarks on its biggest goal yet – to log and remove one million pieces of plastic to represent the one million marine animals killed each year due to plastic pollution.

Paddle boarding, yoga, parkour and canoeing clubs and instructors, are offering FREE activities this year around the UK as part of a summer series of wellbeing clean ups, organised by eco-activist and Plastic Patrol Founder, Lizzie Carr, in her ongoing efforts to eradicate single use plastic from nature.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a total pro – everyone is welcome to come along to try out paddle boarding and no experience is necessary, making this Plastic Patrol clean up accessible to all. In return, Plastic Patrol asks participants to pay a ‘nature tax’ by picking up plastic waste and logging it in the FREE PLASTIC PATROL APP. Every piece collected contributes towards Lizzie’s mission to remove and log one million pieces of plastic in 2019, representing the one million marine animals.

“By joining up with clubs and instructors across the UK and incorporating more activities, I’ve opened Plastic Patrol up to a wider network so more people can get involved,” comments Lizzie. “This will help gather even more data from other parts of the country, giving us invaluable insight into plastic waste issues. Not only found in waterways, but also on land – parks, mountains, streets – logging a huge cross section of data to analyse.”

Lizzie took up paddle boarding following cancer treatment in 2014 as a means of rehabilitation and felt the positive physical and mental benefits immediately. Her time on the water also exposed her to the devastating impact of plastic pollution in nature and she has since dedicated herself to exploring the globe on paddle boarding adventures, using her journeys to capture important data to highlight and educate on environmental issues affecting our planet.  

Whilst initial efforts began on and around UK waterways, intercepting plastic waste inland before it reaches the oceans, Lizzie’s ambition is much bigger. This year, qualified instructors and clubs around the UK across five disciplines will run activity based clean ups, helping mobilise more communities and connect them with environmental issues through physical activities.

The Plastic Patrol app was launched in 2016 and leads the way in citizen science to address plastic pollution. The app currently holding the largest bank of plastic data for the UK inland waterways on record. It is focused on building a tangible and valuable evidence base through its army of passionate volunteers.

The data collected will be analysed by scientists at University of Nottingham to provide current and detailed insight into trends and patterns. This insight will create vital evidence to inform public policy around smarter and more circular packaging solutions, and responsible manufacturing behaviour.

Lizzie comments: “Paddle boarding changed my life. It helped me to see the sheer volume of plastic waste clogging our waterways but also gave me a way to reconnect with nature. Before my illness I was in an environmental sleep walk and being out on the water opened my eyes to the problem. My hope is that running these clean ups, others will experience the same positive benefits as I did. By inviting people to join us on activity-led litter picks across the UK this summer – we’re providing a great opportunity to get out in nature, try new activities and understand the extent of the problem we face with plastic pollution.”

To book a space on this FREE wellbeing clean up with Plastic Patrol visit the website for more information. Meet at Rochdale canal, Windsor Street, Rochdale, OL11 1NA. Look out for the Plastic Patrol flags and brightly coloured paddle boards on the day – you can’t miss it.

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