Decathlon launches Sustainable September in partnership with Planet Patrol

Decathlon UK has announced a partnership with award-winning environmental non-profit organisation Planet Patrol, hosting 10 flagship World Clean Up Day events to help protect the nations’ playgrounds against the harmful effects of litter pollution.

The events will all take place across England, Scotland and Wales on the weekend of Saturday 18th September.

The events will combine activities of litter picking, including water-based clean-ups featuring stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking, alongside land-based clean-ups featuring walking and yoga – emphasising the variety of outdoor pursuits which Decathlon caters for, while also demonstrating how favourite hobbies and eco-friendly activities can combine and contribute to a great cause.

Since its UK launch over 20 years ago, Decathlon has grown into one of the UK’s leading outdoor and sports retailers. The company now operates a total of 47 stores across the UK. Spanning over 14,000 sq ft, the new store includes a carefully selected range from over 70 sports for customers to enjoy.

During the Sustainable September initiative, Decathlon has pledged to remove 10,000 pieces of litter across the UK, calling on local communities to get involved by removing litter and tracking it on the Planet Patrol app, to help clean up the planet and reverse the damage of litter pollution.

This campaign supports the relaunch of Decathlon’s Eco-design and Second Life initiatives, that give customers the information that they need to make positive informed choices when shopping.

Emma Woolley, Decathlon UK Sustainability Leader comments: “It’s wonderful to launch a new partnership with Planet Patrol on such an important project, protecting our playgrounds and reversing the damage that litter pollution has caused to our communities. Not only does this contribute to a fantastic cause, but it also encourages the nation to help in a fun and active way.

“In previous years World Clean Up Day has proven extremely popular with our customers and in 2020 we were able to collect 3640kg of waste through our virtual events. We always want to do more and this new partnership for Sustainable September will help us collect more waste than ever before. We’re confident that we can exceed our target, encourage long term behavioural change and are extremely excited to get started.”

Lizzie Carr, Founder of Planet Patrol, added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Decathlon for World Clean Up Day 2021. Decathlon's mission is to collect, remove and upload 10,000 pieces of litter in the Planet Patrol app during 'Sustainable September' – creating opportunities for people across the UK to get outside and be active, whilst helping protect our planet from the harmful effects of litter pollution.”