Unblocktober

October isn’t just the season of cosy jumpers and pumpkin spice lattes; it’s also a very important month for environmentalism, from World Habitat Day on the 4th to Sustainability Day on the last Wednesday of the month. It’s also the time for Unblocktober – the world’s first month-long initiative to raise awareness of the importance of protecting our sewers and seas. The campaign aims to educate and improve the conditions of the nation’s watercourses, resulting in cleaner seas and less pollution.

Why are blocked drains and sewers a problem?

Blocked drains and sewers are no fun. Not only do they cause issues like terrible smells and troubles with your piping but they can also cause more serious environmental problems, such as flooding, pollution and damage to the ecosystem. Drains and sewers are blocked by the things we flush down the toilet and pour down the plughole. Cooking oil, fat, wet wipes and sanitary products all contribute to enormous blockages or ‘fatbergs’ in our sewers. Our at-home habits can have a detrimental impact on our immediate environment and further afield. Our waste makes its way through our water systems and either causes blockages or filters into the sea, harming wildlife and creating havoc for those that are tasked with attempting to clean it up. By highlighting the importance of proper waste disposal and educating the public about what should and shouldn’t go down our drains, Unblocktober has been helping to protect our sewers and seas since 2019, increasing the reach of its message and inspiring the nation to be mindful of what goes down the drain.

How to get involved in Unblocktober

There are multiple ways you can get involved. One of the most important ways you can help is to learn about Unblocktober and spread the word. On Unblocktober’s website, you can find a list of all the items they urge not to pour down the sink or flush down the toilet, such as any items containing plastic or food waste. Always dispose of fats, oils, and greases in the bin rather than down the sink and ensure that wet wipes and similar products are placed in the trash, not the toilet. By being mindful of your waste disposal habits, you’ll help to directly tackle the poor conditions of the nation’s sewers. To offer further support, you can get outside with a litter picker and a bin bag and head to your local beach, canal, river or other waterway. Preventing rubbish from entering into our water systems reduces the chances of blocked sewers and drains, helping to keep our watercourses pollution-free.

How Grangers is fighting blocked drains

Sustainability is incredibly important to us here at Grangers. It influences how we do things, ensuring we are constantly evolving and implementing sustainable practices to help protect the world we love to explore. That is why all our solutions are water-based, PFC-free and biodegradable, meaning that they are safe for our water and sewage systems. We are also committed to reducing our plastic waste by using only 100% recycled plastic for our bottles and offer eco pouches that contain 74% less plastic. Everything is recyclable and our bottles can be reused, either using the pouches or at our Refill Stations. We are dedicated to keeping our seas and waterways clean and safe, as well as helping to protect those who risk their lives in protecting our coastlines through our recent partnership with the RNLI.

So this October and beyond, join the fight against blocked sewers and polluted seas. By monitoring what goes down the drain, you can help prevent the ecological crisis posed by contaminated waterways. Together, we can make a significant impact on our sewers and seas, ensuring a healthier environment for all.