The Big Paddle Cleanup, led by Paddle UK, is a national call to action inviting paddlers across the UK to help protect the waterways we love by removing litter from places that are often hard to reach by anyone else. The Big Paddle Cleanup 2026 will take place between 23 May and 7 June, and across Wales, clubs and volunteers are once again stepping up to make a real difference.

On the Water in Newtown

As part of Keep Newtown Tidy Week, members of Welshpool Canoe Club took to the River Severn for an on‑water litter pick, paddling around a mile downstream into Newtown, finishing at Dolerw Park.

Armed with gloves, bags and plenty of determination, the group collected any visible rubbish along the way. Much of it was black plastic, alongside plastic bottles, fishing line and other debris that had found its way into the river.

By the end of the paddle, three full bin bags had been removed from the water.

It was a simple idea with a big impact: time on the river, doing something positive for both the environment and the local community.

Dee Valley Clean‑Ups: A Season of Action

Further north, Dee Valley Clean‑Up continues to bring paddlers and volunteers together to care for one of Wales’ most iconic rivers. Their clean‑ups combine practical action with awareness‑raising, helping to protect the river environment before litter is carried further downstream.

The next Dee Valley Spring River Clean takes place on 23 May 2026, perfectly aligning with the opening of the Big Paddle Cleanup campaign. It marks the start of another season of coordinated effort, bringing people together to make a visible difference on the river.

You can find out more about Dee Valley Clean‑Up and upcoming events at https://www.deevalleycleanup.org

Why the Big Paddle Cleanup Matters

The Big Paddle Cleanup is about more than filling bags with rubbish. Paddle UK’s campaign highlights the unique role paddlers play in protecting blue spaces by reaching areas that are inaccessible from the bank, raising awareness of pollution issues, and showing that positive action is possible.

Every bottle, wrapper or length of fishing line removed from the water reduces the risk to wildlife, improves water quality and helps keep our rivers safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Get Involved

Whether you’re part of a club, paddling independently, or joining an organised event, every effort counts during the Big Paddle Cleanup from 23 May to 7 June 2026.

You can:

• Join a local river or beach clean‑up
• Organise your own paddle‑powered litter pick
• Team up with community tidy groups or environmental organisations

If you do take part, be sure to share your story and photos and tag Paddle UK and Paddle Cymru so we can help celebrate the impact Welsh paddlers are making.

Together, we can keep our waterways clean, healthy and flowing for generations to come.

Find out more about the Big Paddle Cleanup at Paddle UK: https://paddleuk.org.uk/big-paddle-cleanup