Street litter ‘clean up’ by Tower Hamlets Council nets old bikes and soiled nappies

The ‘Big Clean Up’ campaign organised by Tower Hamlets Council with 83 volunteers from the public sprucing up the East End collected 74 bags of rubbish in four days.

Hurling a grapple into Regent's Canal to see what comes up. Picture source: Canal & River Trust - Credit: Canal & River Trust

Members of Bethnal Green’s GoodGym who joined the clean-up at Victoria Park after their evening work-out collected 15 sacks alone.

They used pickers to collect cigarette butts, food boxes, plastic wrappings, cans and bottles that had been dropped in the park in less than a day after the end of the All Points East festival.

Volunteers along the Regent’s Canal at Mile End fished out old bike frames and garden tools dumped in the water. Others gathering near Mile End Park and outside Bethnal Green library filled 16 sacks in just over half-an-hour.

Even the council’s chief executive Will Tuckley and Mayor John Biggs rolled their sleeves up to join in the Big Clean.

A job well done... members of Bethnal Green's GoodGym helping spruce up Victoria Park after their evening work-out at the gym. Picture: Mike Brooke - Credit: Mike Brooke

Rubbish included crisp packets, plastic wrappers, drink cans and bottles, paper and newspapers, glass, porcelain, old clothes, needles—and even soiled nappies. Big items included tables, chairs, carpets, bedding, tarpaulin, shovels, umbrellas, metal railings, bikes and one motorbike.