A weekend clean for city canals
Along several urban canals, walkers are now more likely to spot discarded plastic bottles and other waste than wildlife. As water levels fall during routine maintenance and litter surveys, previously hidden obstacles are gradually (17) ________. Because much of this waste is non-biodegradable, it often accumulates quickly along the canal edges. Broken furniture, tyres and signs, abandoned by unidentified (18) ________, are among the many larger objects found beside narrow towpaths. The scale of the clearance task makes it difficult to approach the work without some (19) ________. To improve this increasingly difficult situation, (20) ________ councils now invite local residents to join organised spring canal-cleaning days. Similar community events across the region have been (21) ________ organised during spring weekends, a period of high seasonal (22) ________ among walkers and cyclists, whose presence significantly boosts volunteer turnout. These community events are usually sociable and enjoyable, (23) ________ participants to make a practical contribution to their neighbourhood. Each volunteer may collect several full bags, leaving organisers with carefully sorted piles of recyclable and general waste, all clearly labelled and ready for safe municipal (24) ________. In return for helping, canal cleaners are often offered a shared picnic at the end of the day.