Restoring the flow: Clearing litter from the Afon Mellte
Date: September 21, 2025
Location: Brecon Beacons, South Wales
The Afon Mellte winds through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in South Wales, carving gorges and waterfalls through ancient woodlands. It’s part of the celebrated “Waterfall Country” in the Brecon Beacons National Park—a haven for walkers, nature lovers, and photographers. But even places of such wild beauty aren’t immune to a growing problem: litter.
Last weekend, a group of volunteers came together to give something back to this precious place. Armed with gloves, litter pickers, and an unshakable respect for nature, we spent a day clearing rubbish from the banks and waters of the Mellte River. What we found was eye-opening.
What’s Lurking Beneath the Beauty
In just a few hours, we collected:
- Dozens of plastic and beer bottles
- Food wrappers and discarded packaging
- Rusted cans
- Wet wipes and towels
- A broken bucket (!)
- Lots of black plastic bags
Most of the litter was likely left behind by careless visitors or washed downstream from urban areas during heavy rains. Some of it was tangled in roots and branches, some buried in gravel, and some floating visibly near the most picturesque spots—an ugly reminder of the footprint we leave behind. One was event piled in to a towel and left at the side of the path
Why It Matters
Litter in rivers isn’t just an eyesore. It:
- Harms wildlife: According to the Marine Conservation Society (2020), plastics and other pollutants pose serious threats to aquatic life, from ingestion by marine animals to entanglement and habitat degradation.
- Pollutes the water: Chemical contaminants from litter can leach into the water, affecting the quality and biodiversity of freshwater systems (World Wildlife Fund, 2019).
- Travels further: Rivers are conduits to the sea. A study by the UN Environment Programme (2020) found that rivers account for over 80% of plastic entering oceans, contributing to the growing global marine plastic crisis.
The Power of Community Action
What made the clean-up special wasn’t just the bags of rubbish removed—it was the people. It was local businesses coming together @edhill27 and @lifechangingactivities to help remove the litter. Being outdoor adventure instructors, we were able to get to places other litter pickers can’t. Picking litter out of the riverbed and rock close to or in the water. @BreconBeaconsNationalParkAuthority provide bags and pickers and @Clyngwynbunkhouse provided parking and much needed warm drinks.
It reminded us all that while we didn’t create the problem alone, we can be part of the solution together.
What You Can Do
You don’t have to wait for an organized clean-up to make a difference. Here’s how you can help:
- Leave no trace: Take all your rubbish with you, even biodegradable waste like fruit peels. According to the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics (2021), removing waste is essential to maintaining the beauty and integrity of natural spaces.
- Pick up what you see: If it’s safe to do so, remove litter you spot on a walk.
- Report fly-tipping: Use local council websites or park services to report large or dangerous waste.
- Spread the word: Encourage responsible behaviour in your circles and on social media.
- Join (or start) a clean-up group: Even two or three people can make a meaningful difference. Local groups, such as those organized by the Keep Wales Tidy campaign, are an excellent resource for getting involved.
A River Worth Protecting
The Mellte River is more than just a scenic backdrop—it’s a living system full of delicate ecosystems. It supports mosses, lichens, fish, and Dippers. The roar of the waterfalls and the stillness of the forest are gifts that recharge our minds and spirits. Keeping it clean is not just an environmental duty—it’s an act of gratitude.
Let’s protect what we love. One river. One walk. One piece of litter at a time.
Have you done a river clean-up recently? Share your story and photos in the comments—we’d love to feature your efforts in a future post.
#LoveTheMellte #LeaveNoTrace #WaterfallCountryCleanup #RiverCare #Gorgewalking #getoutside #adventure
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References:
- Marine Conservation Society (2020). “Plastic Pollution: The Global Crisis.” Retrieved from www.mcsuk.org.
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF) (2019). “The Threat of Water Pollution.” Retrieved from www.wwf.org.
- UN Environment Programme (2020). “The Role of Rivers in Global Plastic Pollution.” Retrieved from www.unep.org.
- Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics (2021). “Leave No Trace Principles.” Retrieved from www.lnt.org.
Keep Wales Tidy (2020). “Get Involved in Litter Clean-Up Events.” Retrieved from www.keepwalestidy.cymru.