Volunteers fill 50 bags in waterways clean-up

More than 400 bags of rubbish have been pulled from waterways in Leicester so far in 2026.

A grandfather clock, knives and drug paraphernalia have all previously been pulled from the River Soar and Grand Union Canal by the Canal and River Trust, with support from De Montfort University.

More than 40 students, as well as volunteers from local businesses, recently took to the water and towpaths to fight what they described as a "losing battle".

The trust said 50 bags of rubbish were collected from the city's waterways at an event on Wednesday, which was part of its national campaign to stop plastics getting into our oceans.

Volunteer Amy Cipriano said it was "really shocking" to see how much rubbish was collected during the event, which began at Lime Kiln Lock.

Cipriano said she had seen nesting coots making their homes on "litterbergs" while walking next to the canal in Leicester.

"I use the waterways all the time and it never ceases to amaze me how much rubbish and litter is in our waterways," she said.

"It's really shocking, it's really sad, and I would do anything to make it better, greener and more beautiful.

"Wildlife are nesting in our litter piles - that's the shocking part."

Natalia Stachowiak, a DMU student who took part in the litter pick, added: "We found so many things, from the stuff you can expect like cans and bottles, to more unusual things.

"I'm really disappointed in the people that maybe don't think about their community as much as they should.

"But, at the same time, I'm very happy that I get to contribute to Leicestershire being a little bit cleaner."

DMU climate action co-ordinator, Maab Abdelatil, said it was "not very nice to see" the amount of rubbish.

She added: "It's quite disappointing to see a lot of people are so careless really about the environment they live in.

"Nobody wants to live somewhere full of rubbish and litter."

The Canal and River Trust said more than 1,200 bin bags were filled with rubbish that had been found in the water in the city in 2025.

James Edwards, volunteer leader at the trust, said the charity relied on the help of volunteers.

He said: "Last time we had DMU help, we ended up with six trolleys, a grandfather clock, knives, needles and drug and drink paraphernalia.

"Anything and everything has been found at this point."

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