Sporting goods retailer Decathlon UK has a new partnership with Planet Patrol, an award-winning environmental non-profit on a mission to protect, preserve and restore nature. Decathlon, together with Planet Patrol, will host 10 flagship World Clean Up Day events. Taking place on the weekend of Saturday 18 September across England, Scotland and Wales, the events will help protect the nations’ playgrounds against the harmful effects of litter pollution.

The events will combine activities of litter picking, including water-based clean-ups featuring stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking. This is alongside land-based clean-ups featuring walking and yoga; emphasising the variety of outdoor pursuits Decathlon caters for and also demonstrating how hobbies and eco-friendly activities can combine and contribute to a great cause.

Decathlon UK pledges to remove 10,000 pieces of litter across the UK during Sustainable September.

It is estimated that two million pieces of litter are dropped in the UK every day. The problem is also becoming more visible in our natural playgrounds during recent lockdowns. Decathlon UK is calling on local communities to participate by removing litter and tracking it on the Planet Patrol app. The Planet Patrol app, which crowdsources data from the public who record the litter they collect, is free to download on IOS and Android.

Commenting is Emma Woolley, Decathlon UK’s sustainability leader. “It’s wonderful to launch a new partnership with Planet Patrol on such an important project; protecting our playgrounds and reversing the damage that litter pollution has caused to our communities. Not only does this contribute to a fantastic cause, but also encourages the nation to help in a fun and active way.

“In previous years, World Clean Up Day has proven extremely popular with our customers. In 2020 we were able to collect 3640kg of waste through our virtual events. We always want to do more. This new partnership for Sustainable September will help us collect more waste than ever before. We’re confident that we can exceed our target, encourage long term behavioural change, and are extremely excited to get started.”

The campaign supports the relaunch of Decathlon’s Eco-design and Second Life initiatives, which give customers the information they need to make positive informed choices when shopping.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Decathlon for World Clean Up Day 2021,” says Lizzie Carr, founder of Planet Patrol. “Decathlon’s mission is to collect, remove and upload 10,000 pieces of litter in the Planet Patrol app during Sustainable September; creating opportunities for people across the UK to get outside and be active whilst helping protect our planet from the harmful effects of litter pollution.

“Even if people can’t join the clean-ups, they can still contribute; collecting litter and uploading it to the Planet Patrol app when they’re out and about. We’re hoping that together, with public support, we can smash that target and exceed expectations.”

For further information on Decathlon UK, please click here. To visit Planet Patrol’s website, please click here.