A recent study has unveiled that 27 million adults in the United Kingdom have engaged in littering over the past year. Additionally, more than 15.1 million individuals (28%) have admitted to discarding unwanted food items like fruit peel, sandwich crusts, and ice cream cones under the belief that they will naturally decompose.
Conducted by YouGov on behalf of environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the survey sheds light on the littering habits in the country. Out of the surveyed population, over five million people – roughly one in 10 (10%) – acknowledged leaving packaging behind after consuming food or beverages, while more than 3.7 million (seven per cent) admitted to leaving trash at public transportation stops.
The findings precede the Keep Britain’s Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean campaign, scheduled from March 13th to 29th. For the second consecutive year, the Daily Mirror has partnered with the environmental charity to mobilize millions of litter heroes nationwide. Together, they have collected over 4.5 million bags of harmful waste from streets, parks, and beaches over the past decade.
This year, the call to action is for everyone to participate in the nation’s largest mass-action environmental initiative to safeguard the environment and wildlife. Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, emphasized the detrimental impact of littering on the environment and highlighted the financial burden it places on local authorities, who spend approximately £1 billion annually to address waste management challenges.
In light of the statistics, it was revealed that more than 3.2 million adults (six per cent) cited leaving or dropping litter because it was too dirty, smelly, or messy to carry, while 2.4 million individuals (five per cent) admitted to depositing waste in hedges, bushes, or trees. Additionally, 3.2 million people (six per cent) confessed to disposing of litter from vehicle windows.
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, expressed gratitude towards players for their continuous support in raising funds for the Great British Spring Clean and commended the dedicated Litter Heroes volunteers for their invaluable contribution to the campaign’s success.
Whether individuals have just an hour to spare during a walk or are interested in organizing a large-scale clean-up, every effort counts. Those willing to participate can pledge individually or as a group through keepbritaintidy.org for the Great British Spring Clean, running from March 13th to 29th. By joining the Litter Heroes community, participants will receive expert guidance, safety tips, and connect with like-minded individuals actively making a positive impact every day.