What’s Causing It and How We Can Help

Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable and concerning trend: litter on the increase across towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK. Whether it’s overflowing bins, roadside rubbish or fly-tipping in green spaces this is all on the rise. This growing problem is impacting both our environment and local communities.

At The Rubbish Removers Ltd, we’ve seen the impact firsthand. We are a professional waste removal company with over 20 years of experience. We’re here to highlight why litter is increasing and how we can all work together to reduce it.

What is Littering?

Littering is the act of improperly disposing of waste in public or natural spaces. This includes dropping, throwing or leaving rubbish in areas where it doesn’t belong such as streets, parks, pavements, countryside or waterways.

Common examples of litter include:

Fast food packaging
Drink cans and also bottles
Cigarette butts
Plastic bags
Chewing gum
Flyers and receipts

While it might seem harmless to drop something small, the reality is that litter adds up quickly and the problem escalates. One piece becomes many and soon the area looks neglected, attracting even more litter and antisocial behaviour.

Even worse, some litter, especially plastics, can take hundreds of years to decompose, posing a long-term threat to the environment, wildlife and human health.

Why Is Litter on the Increase?

There are several reasons why we’re seeing litter on the increase:

Increased Packaging Waste
The rise in takeaway food, online shopping and single-use plastics has contributed significantly to packaging waste being discarded improperly.
Cuts to Local Services
Budget cuts have led to fewer public bins, less frequent collections and reduced street cleaning, allowing litter to pile up faster.
Lack of Awareness and Accountability
Sadly, many people still don’t realise the environmental impact of dropping a single piece of rubbish. Others assume someone else will clean it up.
Illegal Fly-Tipping
With rising disposal costs, some turn to illegal dumping. This is not only unsightly but also dangerous and harmful to local wildlife.

The Reality Behind the Rise in Litter and Fly-Tipping

Litter on the increase is a growing issue across the UK, with over 1.15 million fly-tipping incidents reported in 2023/24, a 6% rise on the previous year. Motorways, footpaths, alleyways and bridleways are among the most affected areas. Around a third of incidents involve waste the size of a small van load. Household rubbish accounts for over 60% of all fly-tipping cases.

Cigarette butts and fast food packaging remain some of the most common types of litter. Many people still don’t view them as harmful, despite their environmental impact. Car parks near drive-throughs are often littered with discarded food waste, partly due to a lack of bins and careless behaviour. Excessive, non-recyclable packaging also adds to the problem, especially when household bins are full or collections are less frequent.

During lockdown, when fast food outlets closed, streets and public spaces became noticeably cleaner, highlighting how much litter is linked to our daily habits. At the same time, household waste increased and more rubbish was dumped illegally. These trends show that litter on the increase isn’t just about mess, it’s about behaviour, infrastructure and the choices we make every day.

How The Rubbish Removers can Help

At The Rubbish Removers Ltd, we offer fast, reliable and fully licensed waste removal services to help tackle the growing problem of litter and fly-tipping. Our team specialises in clearing illegally dumped waste from both public and private land. This includes alleyways, car parks, vacant plots and also commercial sites. We respond quickly to fly-tipping reports and ensure all waste is removed safely and disposed of in line with environmental regulations. Whether it’s a one-off clearance or regular site maintenance, we’re here to help keep your space clean, safe and compliant.