Ways to reduce plastic waste on your narrowboat holiday

Plastic in our oceans and waterways is damaging our wildlife

Programmes like Blue Planet II have highlighted the damage plastic waste is doing to wildlife in our oceans.

Sadly our beautiful inland waterways are also affected by plastic waste, posing a threat to our native biodiversity. And, as a staggering 80 per cent of marine debris comes from inland sources, to ocean life as well.

To help combat the blight of plastic pollution in our canals and rivers, we’ve put together a list of ways to reduce the plastic waste generated on your narrowboat holiday:

1. Don’t use products with microbeads

Harmful microplastics are in some consumer products like face wash and toothpaste. The shower water you use on your canal boat holiday drains straight out into the canal. Avoid items with ‘polypropylene’ or ‘polyethylene’ on the ingredients list and go for natural biodegradable alternatives.

2. Use eco-friendly cleaning products

Make sure your washing up liquid and other cleaning products are also eco-friendly.

3. Bring a refillable thermos and reusable plastic bottles

So if you stop off to buy a coffee somewhere on your narrowboat holiday you won’t need a disposable cup and you won’t have to buy bottled water. You can use boiled water from the boat’s tank to make a cup of tea or coffee, and we suggest bringing one large bottle or canteen to top up at water points for drinking water.

4. Bring your own shopping bags

Remember to pack your re-useable bags every time you shop and avoid products with excess packaging.

5. Make use of recycling facilities

The Canal & River Trust offers recycling points for boaters along the canal network.

6. Bag all rubbish

Make sure the bags are tied securely so they don’t spill open. Only dispose of your bagged domestic rubbish inside bins marked domestic waste, and don’t forget to close the lid.  If the bins are full, keep your rubbish securely on board until the next available waste disposal point.

7. Help clean up

Take part in the Canal & River Trust’s Plastics Challenge campaign.  You can pledge to pick up and safely dispose of at least one piece of canalside litter a day while on your narrowboat holiday. For more information, go to https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/features/plastic-and-litter-in-our-canals