HKA colleagues support waterways clean-up with ELCAN

Taking action against plastic pollution on London’s waterways

Colleagues from HKA partnered with East London Canal Access Network (ELCAN) to support a community waterways clean-up initiative along the Limehouse Cut in east London.

A team of 15 volunteers took to the water in canoes and kayaks to help remove litter and plastic waste from the canal, supporting efforts to tackle pollution at its source before it reaches the River Thames and wider marine environment.

About ELCAN

ELCAN is a community interest company that brings together watersports experts, environmental researchers, charities, and local partners to tackle plastic pollution, invasive species, and barriers to participation in watersports.

Through community-led initiatives, ELCAN works to improve local waterways, protect wildlife, promote environmental awareness, and encourage greater community engagement with London’s canal network.

Volunteering in action

Working alongside ELCAN representatives, HKA volunteers spent the afternoon on the Limehouse Cut helping remove litter and plastic waste from the waterway while learning more about environmental challenges affecting London’s canals.

During the activity, colleagues collected six bags of rubbish, covering approximately 14,000 square metres of the canal and surrounding area.

According to ELCAN, removing litter before it breaks down helps prevent plastic pollution from travelling downstream into the River Thames and eventually the wider marine environment. The activity also helped protect local wildlife and improve the condition of the canal environment for the birds and animals that inhabit the area.

The initiative provided an opportunity for colleagues to work together in a unique outdoor setting while contributing to a practical environmental project with a measurable local impact.