A new report reveals a concerning surge in littering across Wales, prompting campaigners to declare a “crisis point.” Keep Wales Tidy’s annual survey, spanning 17 years, shows the worst street cleanliness levels on record.

The primary culprit, according to the charity, is a dramatic increase in discarded food and drink packaging, exacerbated by strained council budgets for street cleaning. Local authorities report difficulties maintaining these budgets amidst rising costs in other sectors, such as social care.

The Welsh government acknowledges the issue, stating ongoing collaboration with local authorities and other stakeholders to improve environmental cleanliness. However, the situation mirrors national trends; Keep Britain Tidy highlights a widespread problem in England, while Keep Scotland Beautiful similarly reports escalating litter levels despite declaring a “litter emergency” in 2022.

In Wales, urban areas are disproportionately affected, with over 35% exhibiting “unacceptable” litter levels. A stark 286% increase in streets classified as “D” (the lowest cleanliness grade) further underscores the severity of the situation. Smoking-related litter and food and drink packaging are consistently identified as the most prevalent types of waste.

Cardiff, despite its substantial annual street cleaning budget (over £7 million), shows alarmingly high litter levels in deprived neighborhoods such as Ely, Roath, Grangetown, and Splott. Residents describe the situation as distressing, impacting their quality of life and mental well-being. Fly-tipping compounds the problem, with residents reporting incidents ranging from discarded food waste to large furniture items.

Local initiatives, such as community litter picks, are underway, but participants highlight challenges such as improper waste disposal practices and scavenging seagulls. The need for improved public education, stricter enforcement of litter laws, and a shift away from single-use packaging is emphasized.

Local authorities, facing budget constraints, and environmental organizations are urging the Welsh government to expedite plans for extended producer responsibility schemes and a deposit return scheme for bottles and cans. While progress is being made, concerns remain regarding the long-term sustainability of current efforts to mitigate this growing crisis. A multi-faceted approach, involving citizens, businesses, councils, and charities, is deemed essential to address this escalating issue.

The Welsh government asserts its commitment to tackling litter, citing increased funding for Keep Wales Tidy and the introduction of new waste management schemes. However, the urgency of the situation necessitates comprehensive and sustained action to curb this escalating environmental challenge.

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Wales is facing a litter crisis, campaigners warn, with surveys revealing the worst street cleanliness levels on record. Keep Wales Tidy attributes the surge primarily to a significant increase in disposable food and beverage packaging, exacerbated by strained council budgets for street cleaning.

Councils report difficulties maintaining adequate litter clearance budgets amidst rising costs in other sectors, such as social care. The Welsh government affirms its collaboration with local authorities and other stakeholders to foster cleaner, better-maintained public spaces.

Keep Wales Tidy’s annual report, spanning 17 years of surveys, highlights the most severe street cleanliness results to date. This reflects a nationwide trend; Keep Britain Tidy notes a scarcity of completely litter-free locations in England, while Keep Scotland Beautiful, despite declaring a litter emergency in 2022, reports persistent increases in litter levels.

In Wales, urban areas are disproportionately affected, with over 35% exhibiting unacceptable litter levels. A stark 286% increase in streets graded “D” (for cleanliness) underscores the severity of the problem. Smoking-related litter and food/drink packaging are the most prevalent forms of waste.

Cardiff, despite its substantial annual street cleaning budget (£7m+), shows the worst “D”-rated streets concentrated in deprived neighborhoods like Ely, Roath, Grangetown, and Splott. Residents describe the situation as overwhelming, with overflowing bins and fly-tipping contributing to the problem. Volunteer litter-picking efforts highlight the impact on residents’ mental health and well-being.

Improper waste disposal practices, including seagulls scattering rubbish from inadequately secured bins, are identified as significant contributors. Fly-tipping, including large-scale dumping of household waste, is also a persistent concern, impacting both the environment and residents’ mental health.

Cardiff council attributes the problem to a minority of irresponsible individuals and urges personal accountability. The substantial collective expenditure by Welsh councils on street cleaning (£64m+ in 2023-24) highlights the scale of the issue, particularly in areas like Barry Island, where coastal litter management is a major cost driver.

Financial constraints, driven by competing demands for education and social care funding, further complicate the situation. Both the WLGA and Keep Wales Tidy advocate for the implementation of delayed plans to hold packaging producers accountable for litter cleanup costs, along with a stalled deposit return scheme.

Keep Wales Tidy’s CEO calls for a comprehensive, long-term strategy encompassing public awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement, and a shift away from single-use products. The Welsh government acknowledges the problem, citing funding for cleanup initiatives and plans for a deposit return scheme and extended producer responsibility scheme to mitigate future litter.