Facts About Littering You Need to Know

Littering and fly-tipping are as illegal and bad for the environment as they are common. From laziness to lack of awareness, there are many reasons why people litter. Understanding them is a crucial step in developing effective strategies to discourage such practices and create a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone. While governments and local authorities tend to focus on things such as increasing fines or installing cameras in public places, there's a strong argument that something as simple yet complex as knowledge is the key to changing the attitudes of the general public.

Raising awareness of how harmful discarded cigarette butts or plastic litter are can lead to a better educated and more environmentally conscious society, so let's take a look at a few interesting litter facts.

Surprising Littering Statistics

• What are the most commonly littered items? While they may not seem like much of a problem when considered individually, cigarette butts and other smoking-related items are at the top of the list of most common litter types. Not far behind are confectionery packs (e.g., candy wrappers), cans, bottles, and other beverage containers and food packaging.
• 1.09 million fly-tipping incidents were reported in England in 2021/22. This number includes 671,00 incidents related to household waste.
• It's estimated that the amount of litter dropped daily in the UK alone exceeds two million items, from cigarette butts to food wrappers and even old tires.
• According to Keep Britain Tidy's report from 2013, 28% of people in England admitted to dropping litter, though the actual number was estimated to be as high as 62%. In another survey conducted in 2018, 27% of people admitted to leaving behind drink and food packaging in public spaces.
• Litter can take a lot of time to decompose, although the exact time varies greatly depending on the type of waste. Plastic waste is generally viewed as one of the most problematic - and for a good reason! Plastic bottles need up to 450 years to decompose completely, plastic straws up to 200 years, and plastic bags 20 years.
• Throwing a piece of fruit peel on the ground is harmless as it's natural and free of artificial materials, right? Well, the short answer is no. Firstly, it's still considered littering. Secondly, while it will certainly decompose faster than plastic or metal, it might take longer than you think. For example, an orange peel can take anything from a few weeks to six months to decompose, and banana skins even up to two years, depending on location and weather conditions.
• Around 15% of motorists admit to littering, including throwing litter out of the car while driving. The effect of this type of behaviour is not limited to the unsightly state of many UK roads, the costs of cleaning and the risks to other drivers cannot be ignored.

5 Facts About Litter

Cleaning Up Litter in Great Britain Costs Taxpayers a Lot of Money

When talking about litter, we often focus on environmental issues and the negative impact on the appearance of our streets and cities. However, it's worth noting the financial aspect of this problem as well. Littering and the risks associated with improper waste management are a global issue, but every year, millions of pounds are spent on litter management in the UK alone.

According to official data from 2018 to 2019, cleaning up litter costs £699 million, which equals £30 per household. In short, everyone pays for littering whether they litter themselves or not. And isn't this information the best incentive to promote proper waste management?

Discarded Litter Harms the Environment

Litter causes pollution by releasing chemicals into the ground and water during its decomposition and, in the case of hazardous waste, even toxins that can create health hazards for both wildlife and humans in the area. In addition, litter and fly-tipped waste, e.g., from construction and demolition sites, can cause traffic accidents or seriously injure and harm pets and wild animals that get trapped in it or consume small elements such as cigarette butts.

Another thing worth noting is the fact that litter doesn't only affect its immediate surroundings. Plastic waste, cigarette litter, food containers - such items are quite small and can be easily moved around by the wind, often ending up in drains or waterways and ultimately in the ocean, where litter poses a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems.

Littering Can Be Expensive for People Who Litter

Ensuring proper waste disposal is essential not only for those of us who want to keep our neighbourhoods clean and protect the environment but also for those who want to avoid paying fines for littering and fly-tipping. For those caught littering, the financial consequences can be substantial. Currently, the maximum fine for fly-tipping is £1,000 and £500 for littering. Taking a minute to find the nearest bin and dispose of your rubbish responsibly seems quite cheap in comparison, doesn't it?

Litter Attracts Pests

One man's trash is another man's treasure, but in this case, our waste can become a food source for all kinds of pests and insects. Litter, especially food-related waste, including food scraps, food wrappers and packaging, can attract mice, rats, cockroaches, squirrels, and birds, among others. They are unlikely to simply leave once they finish eating everything left lying around and may try to look for more food by getting into houses and buildings, increasing the risk of pest infestations. By keeping your local area free of litter, you can protect your house from pests.

Litter Can Affect Property Values in the Area

Roads, roadsides and pavements covered in discarded litter don't look particularly appealing, and this is not just a matter of opinion but a problem with real consequences for anyone interested in selling their property. The presence of litter decreases local property values because people are less likely to want to move to such areas.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Littering?

Now that we've covered basic facts about litter, it's time to take a look at what we can do to improve the situation. It's important to understand that littering has more than one cause. Some people simply don't know that it's illegal or don't understand the impact of such behaviour on the environment. This highlights the crucial role of educational institutions that can teach children the importance of proper waste management from a young age.

But at the end of the day, one of the most effective solutions is simple - people are more likely to put their rubbish into a waste bin if there's one nearby. At ALDA, we offer a range of waste and recycling bins for indoor and outdoor use, equipped with clear and visible labels to help you promote responsible waste disposal in homes, businesses and public spaces!