Last few days to join the Little Canal Litter Pick on Birmingham's towpaths

There are just a few days left to join a national effort to clean up Britain's canals, and Birmingham's famous waterways are a perfect place to take part.

The Canal & River Trust's Little Canal Litter Pick runs until Tuesday, 3 November. It asks people across England and Wales to take small actions, picking up anything from a single piece of litter to a full bag, and to log their efforts on an interactive map.

Millions already helping

The charity's research suggests an estimated 2.6 million people have picked up litter on its waterways in the past year. Volunteers give around 200,000 hours a year to keeping canals clean and welcoming.

The challenge is still large. Without action, the trust estimates that 39 million items of litter would build up on waterways and towpaths every year, with plastics making up around 40% of what is recorded. The charity spends more than £4 million a year dealing with litter and fly-tipping.

Putting efforts on the map

By recording each litter pick, the campaign aims to build one of the most complete pictures yet of community action on the nation's waterways. The map will help the trust identify litter hotspots, show the difference local people are making and understand where support is most needed.

The trust's ambassador, the broadcaster Ranvir Singh, said: "When it comes to the environment, many of us feel helpless about what individual actions we can take and whether we are doing enough to make a difference. I can tell you that this is a terrific place to start and something we can all do."

Singh added: "The Little Canal Litter Pick is an opportunity for even more people to get involved, whether that's collecting a single piece of litter or a full bag. By putting those efforts on the map, we'll be able to demonstrate the power of community action."

Wildlife corridors through the city

Together, Britain's canals form the UK's largest connected network of freshwater habitats, giving wildlife routes through towns and cities. Litter harms that wildlife, damages habitats and spoils places enjoyed by millions.

Campbell Robb, the trust's chief executive, said canals "have become vital habitats for wildlife and beautiful places for people to use and enjoy". He said the trust already tackles litter with volunteer clean-ups, litter boats, bubble barriers and the WasteShark aquatic drone, "but we need to do even more and evidence from local volunteer groups shows that sustained community action makes a real difference."

Birmingham's canals

Few places have more reason to take part than Birmingham, whose network of canals, often said to be longer than Venice's, runs from Gas Street Basin and Brindleyplace out through the suburbs. The towpaths are used every day by walkers, runners, cyclists and commuters, and are home to herons, ducks and other wildlife in the middle of the city.

With dry, settled weather forecast for the next few days, it is a good moment for a towpath walk with a bag and a pair of gloves. Anyone taking part is asked to stay safe near the water's edge and to log their pick on the trust's map.

The campaign has been made possible by funds raised by players of Postcode Lottery.