The Most Unusual Rubbish in Manchester's Waterways

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REVEALED: THE MOST UNUSUAL RUBBISH IN MANCHESTER’S WATERWAYS

APEM have compiled a top-ten list of the strangest objects found while working to clean-up the city’s rubbish-filled waterways.

We are currently working on cleaning up Manchester’s waterways and are sharing an insight into some of the more bizarre objects that have been found in the city’s rivers.

Earlier this year APEM launched a purpose-built litter boat called ‘Irwell Pride’ on the River Irwell Basin in association with Salford City Council and the Healthy Waterways Trust, to clear the water and river banks of litter and debris, improving the area for local residents and people working in areas such as BBC MediaCity UK.

The most common objects found during any litter-picking outing are shopping trolleys, footballs, lorry tyres, metal fences and traffic cones. Interestingly, Lucozade bottles are by far the most littered item.

Until now more unusual items have included a doll house, toy car (large electric 4x4), an armchair, teddy bears, a woven basket, a Barbie doll, a giant Guinness hat, a giant domino and an early 90s wrestling DVD (worth £17.99 on eBay).

APEM and Salford City Council are currently negotiating with local businesses to get their support for the project and ensure the quays in Salford are cleared.

Dr Keith Hendry, managing director of APEM, explains:

“APEM’s regeneration project will restore the profile of some of the city’s most historical assets.

“Having monitored the river for 25 years, we have seen the litter problem getting steadily worse and affecting the reputation of our city, so we decided to do something about it.

“Hopefully, our work demonstrates that a constant litter-picking operation is necessary to ensure and maintain a healthy environment for people and wildlife living in close proximity to the water.”

Local companies can have exclusive rights to on-board advertising hoardings which will be viewed by the whole of the Salford Quays development including Media City. 

In addition, staff can volunteer to be fully-trained and insured litter-pickers for a day or two as part of an employers Corporate Responsibility programme. APEM believes that income from these deals will pay for the continuous operation of the ‘Irwell Pride’ up to seven days a week.

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Top Ten List

  • Doll House

  • Early 90s Wrestling DVD(worth £17.99 on eBay)

  • Giant Domino

  • Giant Guinness Hat

  • Barbie Doll

  • Woven Basket

  • Teddy Bear

  • Armchair

  • An unusually high quantity of Lucozade bottles

  • Toy Car (large electric 4x4)