Unblocktober 2025: Don’t Block Our Future

Wednesday 1st October, 2025

Unblocktober is back for its seventh year! Since 2019, thousands of households, schools, businesses and community groups across the UK have taken part in this month-long campaign, showing how small everyday changes can help protect our drains, sewers and waterways.

Over the years, Unblocktober has grown into a nationwide movement, raising awareness of how the items we flush or pour away can have lasting consequences for our homes and our environment. From preventing fatbergs to reducing plastic pollution, the campaign has always shown that simple choices - taken together - can make a big difference.

This October, we’re once again inviting people everywhere to get involved, take the pledge and be part of the collective effort to protect our sewers and seas.

What is Unblocktober?

Launched in 2019 by Lanes Group, Unblocktober is the world’s first national campaign dedicated to improving the health of our water systems through public action. Every October, thousands of households, businesses and community groups commit to keeping harmful items out of sinks and toilets, including fats, oils, grease (FOG) and plastic-based products.

The campaign proves that small changes in our daily habits can prevent fatbergs, reduce pollution and keep our drains and sewers running smoothly - protecting the seas and rivers that sustain us all/

What is the theme of Unblocktober 2025?

This year’s campaign shines a light on what we’re calling the Kitchen Sink Crisis. Cooking oil is one of the biggest contributors to fatbergs and blocked drains, yet nearly a third of people say it’s the hardest thing to dispose of responsibly. The result is costly blockages in homes, pollution in rivers and seas and huge fatbergs forming in our sewer networks.

The 2025 theme recognises that people want to do better, but many feel they don’t have easy solutions. That’s why this year we’re offering two clear pathways:

• Practical steps at home - simple disposal methods like using food waste bins or collecting oil in containers for recycling.
• Systemic change for the future - calling on government and local authorities to make oil recycling schemes widely accessible.

The message is clear: don’t block our future. By changing how we handle oil, we can protect our homes, communities and environment.

What the UK thinks about drain health

Ahead of this year’s campaign, Unblocktober commissioned a nationwide YouGov survey of more than 2,000 adults. The findings reveal encouraging awareness - but also some worrying gaps.

• 92% of people are concerned about pollution - but 63% of those who say they know what should and shouldn’t go down the sink still poured oil away in the last year.
• 29% said cooking oil is the hardest item to dispose of, underlining why this year’s focus is so relevant.
• The biggest barrier to change is an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude (34%), followed by lack of education and no clear alternatives.
• Encouragingly, 65% would support household oil recycling schemes, and over half want more drain health education in schools.

The results show that while awareness is high, action is inconsistent. Unblocktober 2025 aims to close that gap - helping people make better choices today, while advocating for the infrastructure that makes those choices easier tomorrow.

What’s coming up this October?

This year’s campaign is packed with opportunities to get involved, learn more and spread the message.

Throughout October, we’ll be running activities and challenges across Facebook, X and Instagram, giving you the chance to share your pledge, show your progress and inspire others to join in. There will also be blogs, spotlight stories and resources highlighting the people and organisations already leading the way in protecting our drains and waterways.

In addition, Unblocktober will be taking the message out into communities:

• Webinar - join us for a special Unblocktober webinar on October 23rd, where we’ll be bringing together experts to talk about the Kitchen Sink Crisis, share practical tips on oil disposal, and discuss the future of nationwide recycling initiatives.
• Beach clean-ups - members of the Unblocktober team will be attending beach clean-up events around the UK, working alongside local groups to raise awareness and show the difference collective action can make.
• Schools Tour - we’ll also be launching a new scheme to visit six primary schools to deliver engaging sessions that teach young people how their everyday actions can help protect our sewers, seas and environment. Find out how to sign up to get your school involved by reading more about our Unblocktober Schools Tour.

Keep an eye on our social channels and sign up to the newsletter for updates on dates, locations and how you can get involved.

How can you get involved?

Getting started with Unblocktober is easy - and every action helps.

• Take the pledge - commit to changing your kitchen and bathroom habits for the month. It’s free and quick to sign up at unblocktober.org.
• Change your habits: avoid pouring the following down your drains:
  • Cooking oil - pre or post-cooking
  • Margarine
  • Butter
  • Lard
  • Cooking sauces and condiments
  • Food - even crumbs
  • Wet wipes
  • Face masks
  • Tampons, applicators and wrappers
  • Sanitary/menstrual pads and towels
  • Nappies
  • Condoms
  • Cotton buds
  • Contact lenses
  • Bandages and plasters
  • Razor blades
  • Dental floss
  • Rubber gloves
• Spread the word - share your pledge online using #Unblocktober2025, and encourage friends, family and colleagues to join in.

Why your help matters

Your involvement makes a difference. When people and businesses across the UK come together for Unblocktober, the impact multiplies - protecting homes from blockages, reducing fatbergs and cutting pollution at the source.

The theme of Don’t Block Our Future is about collective responsibility. Every small step, taken together, adds up to lasting change. By joining Unblocktober 2025, you’ll be part of a growing movement to protect our sewers, seas and environment for generations to come.

Join us today!

Take the pledge, share the message and play your part in tackling the Kitchen Sink Crisis. Together, we can protect our drains, our waterways and our future!

Take the pledge now!