A new report has revealed that an astonishing 27 million adults in the UK have confessed to littering at least once over the past year. The study, conducted by YouGov for the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, highlights that more than 15 million individuals (approximately 28%) admitted to discarding organic waste like fruit peels and sandwich crusts, justifying their actions with claims that these items will biodegrade. The findings indicate a significant cultural issue regarding waste disposal in the UK, revealing that a sizable fraction of the population perceives littering as acceptable, especially in the context of biodegradable waste.

In addition to the organic items, the survey uncovered that over five million people (or one in ten) have left behind food packaging after eating or drinking in public spaces, while more than 3.7 million (seven percent) have irresponsibly discarded rubbish at transport hubs like train and bus stops. This level of littering is concerning, as it suggests a lack of awareness and responsibility among a substantial part of the population, which can have detrimental effects on the environment and public spaces.

To combat this growing problem, Keep Britain Tidy is launching the Great British Spring Clean campaign, which will take place from March 13th to 29th. This initiative aims to engage communities across the UK to participate in cleaning up litter in their areas, thus promoting a sense of responsibility and encouraging individuals to reconsider their littering habits. The campaign serves as a timely reminder of the importance of maintaining cleanliness in public spaces and the collective effort required to achieve a litter-free environment in the UK.