The little litter pickers of Nottingham

20/06/2026

Great turnout today, started off really warm but then sun went behind the clouds and a lovely breeze could be felt. Great weather for a litterpick.

We managed to get 16 bags and trolley as-well as a few other random pieces. Great haul, thank you to everyone who contributed. We’ve certainly made a difference. We are missing our seating area, so we borrowed the horseshoes shaded seats for our tea break today as they have a lovely shaded seating area next to ours. Was a pleasure litterpicking with you all, thank you all for your help today, we got a great haul of rubbish off the streets. There is a trolley in the River Leen but I don’t think trolley wise can get to it due to the fencing to get it out the river.

We got a lot of thank yous from passers by this morning, it was nice to see we’re appreciated and for people to stop and talk to us. Fantastic haul as always team, big thank you to each one of you. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. 😁👏🏼 see you next month!

20/06/2026

So after our litterpicking event today, we went along the surface gallery, to check out the sustainability exhibition. We recognised a few people like the team from Bulwell Forest garden, The clean champions and Matt from Hucknall wombles. Can you spot us in the gallery? 😁💚

They had also created a wish tree, wishes for a greener future. So we each made a wish and hung it on the tree. We also left some positive feedback in their feedback book. It was great to see lots of wishes about less litter.

We are proud to of been a part of the process and to know there’s so many other people making huge differences in their communities, well done to all the community organisations involved. Together we truly make a difference.

If you haven’t seen the exhibition but would like to I’ve added the flyer with more information about it at the end of the pictures.

20/06/2026

This is fantastic if only our councils thought outside the box like this, instead of inside a small tick box.

The Netherlands has pioneered an innovative approach to urban design by creating water squares—multi-functional public spaces that serve children and communities while tackling climate challenges. These squares are vibrant playgrounds featuring sports courts, skateboarding areas, and open spaces for children and families to gather, play, and relax during normal weather conditions.

When heavy rainfall occurs, the same spaces transform into stormwater management systems. The strategically designed surfaces and basins capture excess rainwater, directing it gradually into infiltration systems and canals rather than overwhelming city drains. This intelligent design prevents flooding in surrounding neighborhoods while naturally replenishing groundwater.

Rotterdam's Benthemplein water square, opened in 2013, was one of the first large-scale examples. With a storage capacity of 1,700 cubic meters, it demonstrates how water management and community recreation can coexist in a single, beautifully designed space. The participatory design process involved local residents, students, and neighbors, ensuring the square meets both practical and social needs.

Water squares represent a broader shift toward climate-responsive urban planning in the Netherlands. By integrating nature-based solutions into everyday city life, these spaces show that cities can be both safer and more livable. The model has inspired cities worldwide to rethink infrastructure design.

Images are generated by AI and for demonstration purposes only.

Source: de Urbanisten and Studio Marco Vermeulen. (2013). Water Squares: A New Approach to Stormwater Management and Urban Design. Rotterdam Climate Initiative.

14/06/2026

We need these all over the world, why is nobody taking notes!?

Is it possible to build a device that quietly filters plastic from our oceans? Dutch engineers have shown it is. The Ocean Cleanup, founded by Boyan Slat, has created the world's largest passive cleanup system. Their current version, called System 03, is a U-shaped floating barrier stretching more than 2 kilometers across the sea. It mimics a coastline, guiding plastic into its central collection zone while marine life swims safely underneath. The system does not vacuum plastic—it passively gathers it using the power of ocean currents, wind, and waves.

Its predecessor, System 002 "Jenny," removed over 280,000 kilograms of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch across numerous extractions. Now, System 03 is designed to work even faster and on a larger scale. The ultimate goal is bold: to deploy a fleet of these systems and remove 90% of floating plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This passive technology represents a hopeful step toward restoring ocean health and protecting marine ecosystems worldwide.

Images are generated by AI and for demonstration purposes only.

Source: The Ocean Cleanup. (2023). System 03 Deployment and Results. The Ocean Cleanup Publications.

13/06/2026

12/06/2026

Please feel free to check out the sustainable future exhibition. Here’s more more details for those of you that are interested. 😁