Wales is facing a litter crisis, campaigners warn, with surveys revealing the worst street cleanliness on record. Keep Wales Tidy attributes the surge primarily to a significant increase in disposable food and drink packaging, exacerbated by strained council cleaning budgets.
Local councils report struggling to maintain sufficient street cleaning budgets amidst rising costs in other sectors, such as social care.
The Welsh government assures its commitment to cleaner communities, stating it is actively collaborating with local authorities and other stakeholders.
Keep Wales Tidy’s annual report, spanning 17 years, indicates the most alarming street cleanliness results to date. This mirrors a nationwide concern; Keep Britain Tidy reports that only a small fraction of English locations are litter-free, and Keep Scotland Beautiful also highlights escalating litter levels despite declaring a litter emergency in 2022.
In Wales, urban areas are hardest hit, with over 35% exhibiting unacceptable litter levels. A stark 286% increase in streets graded “D” (lowest cleanliness) further underscores the severity of the problem. Smoking-related litter and food and drink packaging are the most prevalent types of refuse.
Cardiff, despite investing over £7 million annually in street cleaning, shows the worst “D” rated streets in deprived areas like Ely, Roath, Grangetown, and Splott. Residents express frustration, describing overwhelming litter levels affecting their quality of life and mental wellbeing. Fly-tipping further compounds the issue.
Local volunteers actively combat the problem, but highlight improper waste disposal as a significant contributing factor, with seagulls exacerbating the situation. The emotional toll of pervasive litter on long-term residents is also highlighted.
Keep Wales Tidy emphasizes the need for collaborative action, including increased public awareness campaigns, stronger enforcement of litter laws, and a shift away from single-use products. The Welsh government, while acknowledging the issue and citing initiatives like increased funding for Keep Wales Tidy and the introduction of an extended producer responsibility scheme, faces challenges in implementing a comprehensive, long-term solution.
The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and Keep Wales Tidy urge the Welsh government to expedite plans to make producers financially responsible for litter cleanup, while delays in the deposit return scheme further complicate matters.
Councils across Wales collectively spent over £64 million on street cleaning in 2023-24, with seaside resorts like Barry Island facing particularly high costs. Budgetary constraints due to increased funding demands for education and social care hinder effective litter management, creating a pressing need for increased government funding and a multi-pronged approach involving citizens, businesses, and governing bodies.
A delayed deposit return scheme for bottles and cans, further complicated by disagreements with the UK government, adds to the existing challenges.
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