Lanes Group launches ‘Unblocktober’ - a new national campaign to save our sewers and seas

A new awareness month and national campaign has launched to help save marine life from plastic pollution and prevent fatbergs from damaging the sewer network.Unblocktober, led by Lanes Group - the UK’s largest privately-owned drainage and utility contractor – the British public to make small changes to their kitchen and bathroom habits for the calendar month of October in order to protect the environment.In just under a month, closed pre-registration has already seen over 1,000 people sign up to take part. The campaign, promoted by a dedicated website, is also seeking support from businesses, including water utility companies.Unblocktober participants will commit to putting none of the following down their sinks or loos:● Cooking oil - pre or post-cooking● Margarine● Butter● Lard● Cooking sauces and condiments● Food - even crumbs● Wet wipes● Tampons, applicators and wrappers● Sanitary/menstrual pads and towels● Nappies● Condoms● Cotton buds● Contact lenses● Bandages and plasters● Razor blades● Dental flossMichelle Ringland, Head of Marketing at Lanes Group, said: “When fats, oils and grease (FOG) such as the above are poured down the drain, they collect in the sewers and begin to harden into big congealed masses - commonly known as ‘fatbergs’ - that cause serious blockages. Lanes Group itself works on between 400-600 fatberg-related drainage issues each month, including the ‘monster’ Whitechapel fatberg in 2017, which weighed 130 tonnes and was 250 metres long.”Participants can sign up and find more information at www.unblocktober.org.

ENDSEditors notes:PR Contact: Graham AllchurchTelephone: 0161 402 3170Email: graham.allchurch@i-com.netUnblocktober is a month-long awareness campaign launched by Lanes Group plc. Members of the public will be invited to participate during the month of October and commit to only putting the 3 Ps; pee, poo and paper, down the drain for the entire month. Further information will be published on Unblocktober.org.About Lanes GroupLanes Group plc is a national wastewater and drainage solutions provider. It sits at the heart of the drainage industry in the UK and Ireland, and is serious about delivering excellence in service, safety and innovation.The company has a network of 32 depots and strategic utility hubs, providing high quality utility, drainage, and maintenance services for commercial, public sector and domestic customers.Specialist market sectors include water utilities, construction, energy, rail, highways, insurance and commercial maintenance.