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UK Adults Litter: 27 Million Admit to Dropping Rubbish
12 Feb
Summary
- 27 million UK adults littered in the past year.
- Over 15 million admitted dropping food waste as it biodegrades.
- Local authorities spend £1 billion annually on litter cleanup.
A startling YouGov survey indicates that 27 million adults across the UK have engaged in littering over the past twelve months. This behavior includes over 15.1 million people admitting to discarding food waste, such as fruit peel or sandwich crusts, with the misconception that it will biodegrade. Furthermore, more than five million individuals confessed to leaving packaging behind after outdoor meals.
The environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy highlights the substantial financial burden of this problem. Local authorities are spending an estimated £1 billion each year to manage and clean up litter. This expenditure diverts funds that could be allocated to other essential public services. Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, stresses that all litter is harmful pollution.
In response to these figures, the Great British Spring Clean campaign is set to run from March 13th to March 29th. This initiative, supported by the Daily Mirror, aims to mobilize 'litter heroes' nationwide to help clean streets, parks, and beaches. The campaign encourages individuals to either dispose of their waste properly or take it home with them.
