Two cyclists have hauled a wheelie bin to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) to highlight Britain’s litter crisis. Jamie Hargreaves and Alfie Cookson, who are cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, parked their tandem at the base of the North Wales peak earlier this week, to carry the bin to the top.
Posting on social media, Jamie said: “World first? I don’t know, but I’m sure there’s not many people who’ve dragged a wheely bin up Snowdon!! One down two to go.
“A very successful litter pick, we filled half the bin, we were pleasantly surprised by the lack of litter on the mountain, but that may also be due to the Llanberis path being a very wind swept route.”
This ascent marks the first of three planned mountain climbs designed to highlight the UK’s growing litter problem.
After their successful climb in North Wales, the pair were heading towards the highest peaks in England and Scotland, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, to repeat the feat.
Jamie Hargreaves and Alfie Cookson hauled a wheelie bin to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).(Image: Jamie Hargreaves and Alfie Cookson )
Jamie said: “For those of you who are wondering what we’re doing (and I’m guessing there are many).
“Were spreading awareness for keeping our world clean by cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats on a tandem bicycle while towing two wheelie bins. We’re also linking in the Three Peaks and dragging the bins up them.”
He added: “It’s an expedition built around a simple idea: that adventure and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. Every mile cycled and every piece of litter collected raises awareness and funds for charity.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
The expedition involves towing a custom-built rig behind a vintage 1980s tandem bicycle, which the pair engineered themselves using spare motorcycle parts and old bike wheels.
This heavy setup weighs roughly 100kg and requires a sophisticated braking system to manage the momentum on steep roads. The physical strain is significant, with the weight of the bins already causing the cyclists to burn through several sets of tyres, according to Cycling Weekly
Despite the gruelling nature of the task, the pair has embraced a minimalist lifestyle on the road, often sleeping in hammocks strung between rugby goalposts.
They began their journey in mid-April and have been making their way north while stopping to clear rubbish from the roadside. Their primary goal is to use the spectacle of the wheelie bins to start a conversation about protecting the British countryside.
The cyclists have been particularly shocked by the volume of waste found on rural roads and the outskirts of towns. They believe that a lack of education regarding the outdoor code has led to an increase in fly-tipping and littering, especially since the pandemic.
By documenting their journey, they hope to show that caring for the environment is a responsibility that everyone should share.
They are using their social media platforms to make the act of picking up rubbish feel normal and even trendy, hoping to influence future behaviour. They want to inspire people to think twice before dropping a crisp packet or leaving waste behind in nature.
The total journey is expected to take around a month, double the time of a standard trip, due to the heavy trailer and frequent cleaning stops. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone