More than 600 kilograms of rubbish was collected in just one hour as recovery groups from across the north west came together for the first Recovery Litter Picking Challenge in Oldham.
Held at Werneth Park on 10th September and supported by Oldham Council, the event saw ten teams from Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and even North Yorkshire compete for a trophy and £100 cash prize.
On average, each team filled around 15 bags as they took part in their first ever “Spogomi” competition — a sport invented in Japan in 2008 that turns litter picking into a team challenge.
Organised and funded by The Calico Group, the challenge aimed to bring recovery services together while tackling a local issue.
Reflecting on the day, Calico’s Director of Partnerships and Collaboration, Tom Woodcock, said: “It was great to see so many services together and enjoying doing something good for the environment.
He continued: “Everyone got stuck in and made their teams proud. Well done all.”
Manchester’s Rehab Fitness came out on top with an impressive 101 kilograms of rubbish collected, followed by Project FREE from Bury with 80 kilograms.
A team from Acorn Recovery’s Redwood House contributed 60 kilograms, placing them sixth overall.
Red Rose Recovery entered three teams from across Lancashire, the Spark Roots Community joined from Blackburn, and Turning Point’s Leigh Bank rehab also fielded two teams, showing the breadth of support across the region.
The event took place against a backdrop of ongoing challenges in Oldham, where litter and fly-tipping remain pressing issues. The council spends more than £4.2 million every year dealing with waste and environmental clean-up.
By working together in this way, recovery groups demonstrated not only the value of teamwork and community spirit but also how collective action can make a visible difference to public spaces.
About The Calico Group
The Calico Group is a group of innovative charities and businesses working together to make a real difference to people’s lives. From housing and healthcare to support, skills, and employability, the Group provides a wide range of services designed to help people build better futures. By collaborating with partners and communities, The Calico Group aims to create lasting change and stronger, healthier places to live.
