As Official Overlay Supporter to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, GL events UK has been rolling out an extensive social value programme alongside its operational obligations. Through a committment to ensuring genuine legacy beyond Birmingham 2022, the event infrastructure giant has partnered with several West Midlands based charities, including Canal & River Trust.
On June 15th, GL events UK employees dedicated their time to volunteer with this non-profit organisation, which is responsible for the protection of over 2,000 miles of canals and waterways across England and Wales.
Volunteers spent the day undertaking a water-based litter collection in two bell boats at Port Loop, Birmingham. Using long litter pickers, the team collected a range of waste, including floating plastic bottles, food wrappers, fishing tackle, polystyrene and much more.
Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems is an emerging environmental hazard that has the potential to cause adverse ecological effects, endanger aquatic species, and cause economic harm. Rivers are known to inadvertently transport waste to the oceans; however, canal and river ecosystems are directly affected by plastic pollution.
”We are proud to be playing a part in the work of Canal & River Trust in protecting local ecosystems and enriching lives beside waterways.
Rachel BakerDirector of Marketing & CSR - GL events UK
Canal & River Trust estimates that 14 million plastic items end up in waterways annually. Accordingly, the charity’s mission is to eradicate plastic and has urged local individuals and community groups to pick up litter or undertake waste prevention activities. GL events UK was thrilled to assist with the charity’s cleaner canals initiative through this waste collection.
Rachel Baker, Director of Marketing & CSR at GL events UK commented, “We are delighted that so many of our colleagues have volunteered to support the work of the Canal & River Trust during our Corporate Support Programme in 2022. They have all found the experience of working outdoors with a range of different colleagues to be incredibly positive – not to mention the satisfaction they have gained from making a small difference to the local environment. We are proud to be playing a part in the work of Canal & River Trust in protecting the local ecosystems and enriching lives besides the waterways.”
Stay up-to-date on the latest news and volunteer events here, or for more information on Canal & River Trust initiatives, visit their website.
