Molten’s Hammersmith Bridge Clean-Up with Thames21

Molten’s Hammersmith Bridge Clean-Up with Thames21

2 mins to read

Molten News
Molten News
Event

Last Friday morning, the Molten team met up for our Corporate Volunteer Day—this time for a river clean-up at Hammersmith Bridge. Working alongside Thames21 volunteers, we set out to rid the riverbank of the plastic debris and litter that threaten this iconic stretch of London. 

The day began with a health and safety briefing that was as memorable as it was sobering. We learned (in vivid detail) about the risks of Weil’s Disease, with odds compared to winning the lottery. Suffice to say, no one was tempted to test their luck.

The clean-up itself was both eye-opening and, at times, surreal. We discovered a “wet wipe isle,” a shocking indication of the sheer volume of flushed wipes making their way to the river and polluting our waterways. 

Armed with gloves, litter pickers and steel toe capped wellies, we collected an astonishing 76 bags of nappies, wipes, sanitary towels, and other unsavoury plastics—though it was clear we’d barely scratched the surface. 

Our guides for the morning were Thames21, an environmental charity dedicated to restoring and protecting rivers, water, and nature across London and the Thames Basin. Their mission is to connect communities with their local waterways, mobilising thousands of volunteers every year to clean and green over 400 miles of rivers and canals. Thames21’s work goes beyond litter picking: they empower local leaders, support river restoration, and inspire people to enjoy and speak up for these vital green spaces. 

Fate – and the rising tide – wrapped things up early, granting us a well-earned pub lunch at the Blue Anchor. By the end, we all agreed on one thing: we may never feel truly clean again.

This Corporate Volunteer Day was a great opportunity for our team to bond and work together away from an office environment and represents one of the five paid days per year employees receive for charitable activities to support the community and environment. 

If you’re interested in joining a future river clean-up or learning more, visit Thames21’s events page and see how you can get involved. Together, we can keep the Thames – and our community – cleaner, greener, and safer.