About the event

Come along to Riverside Park in Chester Le Street and help us clean up the park and riverside, to stop litter before it reaches the sea!

Around 80% of the litter we find along our coast and on the beaches begins its journey far inland. A discarded plastic bottle can find its way into a steam, leading into a river, and then make its way out to sea, where it can break down into smaller microplastics, having a devastating impact on wildlife, habitats and humans. By picking up this litter at the river level, we’re stopping it at its source – protective our rivers, wildlife and marine ecosystems. 

Plastic poses the biggest threat to marine wildlife as it doesn’t just disappear; it simply breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, and has detrimental effects on food chains, working its way up from the tiniest plankton into the bodies of sharks, whales and dolphins. Any litter removed from a natural ecosystem helps wildlife and creates a better space for humans too!

• All litter picking equipment & bags supplied
• Please wear clothes and sturdy footwear suitable for the weather.
• Facilities available on-site at the Donald Owen Clarke Centre and Riverside Cafe
• Paid parking is available nearby at Ropery Lane Car Park ( DH3 3SJ) and Durham County Cricket Ground
• The nearest bus stop is found opposite the entrance to the park on Ropery Lane, Riverside Cricket Ground stop