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23.
July
2019.
Campaign launched to stop damage from sewer fat and plastics

Lanes Group launches ‘Unblocktober' - a new national campaign to save our sewers and seas

23rd July 2019
Image available: Unblocktober logo


A new awareness month and national campaign has launched to help save marine life from plastic pollution and prevent fatbergs from destroying the sewer network.

Unblocktober, led by Lanes Group - the UK's largest privately-owned drainage contractor - challenges the British public to make small changes to their kitchen and bathroom habits for the calendar month of October in order to protect the environment.

In just under a month, closed pre-registration has already seen over 1,000 people sign up to take part.

Unblocktober participants will commit to putting none of the following down their sinks or loos:

        Cooking oil - pre or post-cooking

        Margarine

        Butter

        Lard

        Cooking sauces and condiments

        Food - even crumbs

        Wet wipes

        Tampons, applicators and wrappers

        Sanitary/menstrual pads and towels

        Nappies

        Condoms

        Cotton buds

        Contact lenses

        Bandages and plasters

        Razor blades

        Dental floss

Michelle Ringland, Head of Marketing at Lanes Group, said: "When fats, oils and grease (FOG) such as the above are poured down the drain, they collect in the sewers and begin to harden into big congealed masses - commonly known as ‘fatbergs' - that cause serious blockages. Lanes Group itself works on between 400-600 fatberg-related drainage issues each month, including the ‘monster' Whitechapel fatberg in 2017, which weighed 130 tonnes and was 250 metres long."

Such blockages often lead to flooding, pollution and, potentially, public health problems when foul water ends up on streets and in homes.

The problem is further compounded when items that contain plastic and other non-biodegradable materials are flushed down toilets. This causes fatbergs to grow even bigger, and also ultimately leads to plastic pollution in our rivers, seas, oceans and watercourses.

"By taking part in Unblocktober, the nation can help significantly reduce the impact of the bad habits adopted in so many kitchens and bathrooms across the country," Michelle added.

In a national survey, the company found that 48% of the nation pour fats, oils and grease (FOG) down their drains. In addition, according to Southern Water, more than 3,000 homes are flooded in the UK every year because of FOG blockages and fatbergs, while £90 million is spent annually clearing fatbergs.

Furthermore, Lanes' survey found that 46% of the female population have flushed tampons down the toilet in the past, while 20% of men have flushed condoms. In addition, 48% have flushed wet wipes labelled as ‘flushable' down the toilet.

Michelle said: "Unblocktober is the awareness month that the environment needs right now. By taking part and changing their kitchen and bathroom habits very slightly for a month, the British public can help solve two critical problems: the millions of tonnes of plastic being dumped into watercourses and the environmental and structural damage caused by sewer blockages.

"We have the opportunity to drive real behavioural and environmental change in the UK at a critical time. If we can join together this October as a nation - from toddlers to OAPs - and make the same commitment together, the improvements to the health of the environment we live in will be huge. And even more effective if we can continue these habits beyond October."

Participants can sign up and find more information at unblocktober.org.

 ENDS

Editors notes:

PR Contact: Graham Allchurch

Telephone: 0161 402 3170

Email: graham.allchurch@i-com.net

Unblocktober is a month-long awareness campaign launched by Lanes Group plc. Members of the public will be invited to participate during the month of October and commit to only putting the 3 Ps; pee, poo and paper, down the drain for the entire month. Further information will be published on Unblocktober.org.

About Lanes Group

Lanes Group plcis a national wastewater and drainage solutions provider. It sits at the heart of the drainage industry in the UK and Ireland, and is serious about delivering excellence in service, safety and innovation.

The company has a network of 32 depots and strategic utility hubs, providing high quality utility, drainage, and maintenance services for commercial, public sector and domestic customers.

Specialist market sectors include water utilities, construction, energy, rail, highways, insurance and commercial maintenance.