Anglers Against Litter campaign wins prestigious Keep Britain Tidy Award

The Anglers Against Litter campaign, a joint initiative run by the Angling Trust and Shimano and supported by the Environment Agency, has been honoured with a Keep Britain Tidy, Great British Spring Clean ‘Best in Business Award’.

This prestigious accolade recognises the contribution the campaign has made to environmental conservation and community engagement across the UK.

Shimano, a global leader in fishing tackle and accessories, has been the main sponsor of the Angling Trust’s Anglers Against Litter campaign since early 2023. The campaign has also been supported by the Environment Agency and funded from fishing licence income as part of the National Angling Strategic Services contract.

It was designed to tackle the escalating issue of litter around Britain’s waterways, but the initiative has since engaged with anglers and angling clubs nationwide to organise and promote litter picks, responsible fishing practices, and the importance of preserving natural habitats for future generations.

Shimano’s support for the Angling Trust has been instrumental in the campaign’s success. Their funding has enabled the Angling Trust to offer free litter-picking kits to angling clubs in return for a pledge to run at least three litter-pick events a year in their area. This has resulted in 122 clubs receiving kits and an estimated 4,000 bin bags of litter being collected in 2023.

By leveraging their extensive network within the angling community, Shimano has also helped to amplify the campaign’s reach and foster a culture of environmental stewardship among anglers.

The Keep Britain Tidy ‘Best in Business Award’ celebrates the positive impact that collaborative efforts between businesses and charities can have on the environment. The announcement comes at the start of the Great British Spring Clean, the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign. The Great British Spring Clean takes place from 15-31 March, and members of the public can join anglers in doing their bit by pledging to collect a bag of litter.

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, said:

“We’re celebrating 70 years of taking action for the environment and thanks to schemes like the partnership between our friends at the Angling Trust and Shimano, hundreds of people are being supported to continue to protect the environment around them at a time when it has never been more crucial. The Great British Spring Clean is the perfect time to shout about everything we’ve achieved together in the past seven decades and say a big thank you to the volunteers, staff, and supporters who have made it possible. Our work to protect the environment has never been more vital.”

Ian Latham, Managing Director Shimano UK, said:

“The partnership between Shimano and the Angling Trust is a perfect fit for our corporate goal to promote health and happiness through the enjoyment of nature and the world around us. Receiving the Keep Britain Tidy ‘Best in Business Award’ is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the fantastic angling club volunteers right around the country. Along with the Angling Trust, we are committed to continuing our efforts to make Britain’s rivers, lakes and beaches cleaner and safer for both wildlife and communities.”

Dr, Emily Smith, Environment Manager, Angling Trust, added:

“This award underscores the strength of collaboration amongst the angling community to tackle litter. Through our partnership with Shimano, we have shown how businesses and non-profits can unite to conserve the environment. We are immensely proud of the angling clubs and volunteers who help keep their local waterways free from litter.”

Angling clubs can apply for a free litter-picking kit by sending an email to the Angling Trust’s Environment team at [email protected]

• For more information about the Anglers Against Litter campaign and how to get involved, please click here.

Ian Latham, Managing Director Shimano UK, and Dr. Emily Smith, Environment Manager Angling Trust, receive the award at the Keep Britain Tidy reception in Parliament