Action Against Litter newsletter – Issue 10
A ‘Rubbish Reality’ – Only 1 in 10 Spaces are litter-free
According to the A Rubbish Reality report, just 9–10 % of English streets and parks surveyed between 2013 and 2024 were completely free of litter. Litter is three times more prevalent in the most deprived areas. The report highlights how litter, and the resulting lack of pride and safety, can hold back local economies and community wellbeing. The Guardian
Over 90% of locations show litter
In total, more than 90 % of the 1,140 miles surveyed across urban and rural England showed litter. These findings underscore that litter isn’t just a visual nuisance, it’s an environmental and social inequality issue. Circular Online
The need for collective action
Keep Britain Tidy warns that litter is “more than an eyesore – it prevents investment, creates inequality, damages the environment and makes people feel depressed and unsafe.” What’s more, 77 % of people surveyed believe the UK’s litter problem has worsened. They urge a national litter strategy, with measurable targets and coordinated action from government, communities, and industry. letsrecycle.com
The Great British Spring Clean: mobilising millions
Last year, more than 8.5 million adults in the UK litter‑picked at least once in six months.Over 430,000 volunteers collected nearly 450,000 bags of rubbish. Participation not only removes litter, it boosts pride in local places, with 85 % of volunteers reporting an increased sense of belonging. keepbritaintidy.org
Why litter-picking matters
- Plastic bottles can last up to 450 years in the environment.
- Litter costs UK taxpayers hundreds of millions annually – funds that could otherwise support other activity.
- Litter isn’t just unsightly – it harms wildlife (think entanglement, ingestion) and wastes resources that might otherwise be recycled. keepbritaintidy.org
Final thoughts
When communities like Thanet come together, spurred on by both local action and national momentum, we can chip away at more than just rubbish on the ground. We can build social value, protect wildlife, and restore pride in our environment. By aligning local efforts with Keep Britain Tidy’s evidence-based campaigns, our collective impact multiplies.
