Home / Environment / Littering Epidemic Costs UK Taxpayers £1 Billion Annually
Littering Epidemic Costs UK Taxpayers £1 Billion Annually
7 Aug
Summary
- Littering costs UK over £1 billion per year to clean up
- Cigarette butts most common litter on UK beaches
- 60% of litter collected is single-use plastic
As of August 7th, 2025, the UK is grappling with a severe littering epidemic that is costing taxpayers over £1 billion per year to clean up. According to research from Keep Britain Tidy, more than 2 million items of litter are being dropped on the streets every day across the country.
The most common littered item found on UK beaches is cigarette butts, which constitute a major environmental hazard. The Marine Conservation Society reports that 60% of the litter collected during beach clean-ups consists of single-use plastic items. The amount of plastic waste on UK beaches has increased by nearly 10% over the past year.
John Roberts, Chief Services Officer of Kingdom LAS, warns that the littering issue has been spiraling out of control for years and is only getting worse. He emphasizes that littering is not a civil offense, but a criminal one, with offenders facing fines of up to £2,500. Roberts urges the public to take responsibility for their waste and properly dispose of it, rather than littering, which can harm the environment and marine life.
