Unblocktober
Unblocktober runs through October and asks people in the UK to keep fat, oil, grease and wipes out of their sinks and toilets to protect drains, sewers and seas.
- UK
- USA (not marked)
- Ireland (not marked)
- Canada (not marked)
- Australia (not marked)
- New Zealand (not marked)
- UAE and Gulf (not marked)
- International (not marked)
About the day
Unblocktober runs for the whole of October. It asks people to pledge not to pour or flush things that block drains, such as cooking fat, oil, grease and wet wipes, for the month.
It was launched in 2019 by Lanes Group, the drainage and wastewater contractor, which still runs it. The campaign says about 4,500 people took part in 2019, rising to over 32,000 in 2021.
Its own figures say water companies in England and Wales clear nearly 280,000 sewer and drain blockages a year, at a cost of over £100 million. The 2025 campaign, “Don’t Block Our Future”, used a YouGov survey of more than 2,000 UK adults on how people get rid of cooking oil.
It suits water and drainage firms, kitchen and cleaning brands, food waste and recycling services, and environmental groups.
Dates for the next three years
| Year | Date | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 to 31 October 2026 | UK | Same date every year |
| 2027 | 1 to 31 October 2027 | UK | Same date every year |
| 2028 | 1 to 31 October 2028 | UK | Same date every year |
Sectors this day suits
Types of business that could link their activity to this day.
- Water and utilities
- Drainage and plumbing
- Kitchen and cleaning products
- Food waste and recycling
- Environment and sustainability
Questions and answers
When is Unblocktober 2026?
Unblocktober 2026 runs from 1 to 31 October 2026. It falls on the same date every year.
How long does Unblocktober last?
Unblocktober runs for the whole of October.
Who organises Unblocktober?
Unblocktober is organised by Lanes Group.
When did Unblocktober start?
Unblocktober was first held in 2019.
Where is Unblocktober marked?
Unblocktober is marked in the UK.
Where do these details come from?
We checked these details against two sources, including Unblocktober: The story of Unblocktober. They were last checked on 28 October 2026.
Where this information comes from
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