Lanes Group launches the sixth year of Unblocktober

Lanes Group, the drainage experts, have announced the launch of their sixth Unblocktober campaign, which encourages both individuals and businesses to take the Unblocktober pledge. This nationwide initiative calls on the UK public to improve the health of our drains and reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal on our climate and ecosystems.

Unblocktober, which first launched in 2019, is an innovative month-long campaign that takes place every October, led entirely by the British public. Its goal is to improve the health of the UK’s drains, sewers, watercourses and seas. Participants pledge to avoid disposing of harmful waste into their drains for the entire month, promoting sustainable waste management practices.

The pledge specifically asks participants to refrain from flushing or pouring the following items down their drains:

Cooking oil – pre or post-cooking
Margarine, butter, lard
Cooking sauces and condiments
Food – including crumbs
Wet wipes
Face masks
Tampons, applicators and wrappers
Sanitary/menstrual pads and towels
Nappies
Condoms
Cotton buds
Contact lenses
Bandages and plasters
Razor blades
Dental floss
Rubber gloves
Decades of harmful waste disposal have led to the formation of fatbergs – large, solid masses of waste that clog drains and sewers. These fatbergs not only reduce the efficiency of drainage systems but also contribute to pollution and ecological damage in our waterways. In a time of increasing environmental awareness, tackling these issues has never been more urgent.

This year Unblocktober has also been a part of several new initiatives. The first is the ‘Name the Whale’ competition in which the Unblocktober mascot is to be named through a vote by the British public. Alongside naming the whale, children can unleash their artistic talents by colouring in the whale’s official artwork, making this a fun way to engage with the Unblocktober campaign and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Jacob Larkin is also representing Unblocktober at Final Straw Foundation’s beach clean at Tipner Beach, Portsmouth on the 6th October. The Final Straw Foundation is working with local communities and businesses to highlight the impact of plastic pollution on the environment and to try to minimise the amount of plastic entering the seas and oceans.

Jacob Larkin, spokesperson for Unblocktober, said: “Over the last six years, Unblocktober has grown into a nationwide movement, with participation numbers rising from just 4,500 in 2019 to over 70,000. It’s encouraging to see how businesses and the public have come together to reduce waste-related harm to our drainage systems.

“However, the work is far from over. In 2024, we’re calling for even more action. Simple daily habits can make a long-term impact on our environment. By keeping harmful materials out of our drains, we are reducing the risk of fatbergs and other waste-related blockages, which ultimately benefits the health of our seas and watercourses.”