Here at Blackrow, we are delighted to announce that we have been asked by the local council to take on one of their local community projects; a dual-purpose artistic installation and a receptacle for plastic to be recycled.

We have been commissioned to design and fabricate the iconic Grimsby Haddock as part of the efforts to encourage proper plastic recycling and sustainable living in the local area. Similar to the ‘Fin the Fish’ found at The Deep in Hull and Scarborough Beach, the aim is for the fish to provide a fun facility for residents and visitors for plastic disposal preventing it from entering our waterways and the ocean.

The Issue with Ocean Plastics

Plastics are a big issue in recycling, and they pose a particular threat to our ocean; an environment that has proved vital to the growth of our local economy. Plastic takes an extremely long time to degrade, up to 1,000 years, and it is estimated that if things don’t change there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050 – a very sad statistic when many people in our community still rely on this resource for their income.

Rethinking Our Plastic Use

Hopefully being able to visualise the amount of plastic that we are using and turning into waste will help people to rethink the amount that they use, and consider whether there are alternatives that they could use which would be better for the environment.

As our Contracts Manager, Gary Pexham explained:

“This metal fabrication project will require some innovative design from our team to do the image of the renowned Grimsby Haddock proud, but we are excited to take on the challenge and contribute to the local area in our hometown of Grimsby in a positive way that will benefit residents and visitors alike.”

How Can You Help?

Blackrow along with the Council and the help of Dalkia Waste Energy are funding this project, and we would like to invite other local businesses who also prioritise contribution to our community to join us in sponsoring this fantastic project.

All sponsors will have their company name and logo permanently featured on the fish once it is unveiled, which we think is a fantastic way of permanently marking your contribution to our community. If you are interested in collaborating with us to sponsor this project you can contact our project leader Lewis Crowther on lewis@blackrow.co.uk for more information.

We look forward to updating you on the progress of our Grimsby Haddock soon, and can’t wait to unveil the final piece.