10 year UK litter study shows “we’re drowning in plastic”

Organisations are calling on the government to act through initiatives such as the deposit return scheme and a circular economy, using the data to inform policy

A new study by the University of Portsmouth shows that plastic items make up more than seven in ten pieces of litter recorded across the UK, with countryside locations and public recreation areas carrying some of the heaviest burdens. 

The research draws on ten years of citizen science data collected between 2015 and 2024, using artificial intelligence to bring together information from thousands of volunteers who logged litter through mobile apps, beach clean surveys and community projects. This has created one of the most comprehensive national overviews of litter pollution ever produced in the UK. 

More than 460,000 individual litter records were analysed and standardised, allowing researchers to compare data that was previously fragmented or incompatible. By combining these records with detailed information on land use and local infrastructure, researchers identified where litter is accumulating, and which settings are most affected. 

Recreation and outdoor spaces recorded some of the highest litter densities within the datasets, followed by transport areas, accommodation sites and food and drink locations. The findings also show that rural and low-density areas are disproportionately affected, challenging the widespread perception that litter is mainly an urban problem. 

Dr Keiron Roberts, from the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth, said: “What people are reporting on the ground is now unmistakable in the data. Plastics dominate the litter landscape, and some of the most affected places are not just city centres, but more rural and recreational environments that people associate with nature and escape.” 

“[Plastic pollution] is an epidemic.  And we aren’t hearing enough about it from government.”

Ed Lennox, Director of Operations, Clean Up Britain, which campaigns to tackle litter and fly-tipping, said the findings came as no surprise. “The tragedy around much of what we and our wider community of litter pickers retrieve from roadsides, hedges and drains is that much of it is recyclable.  Plastic – in the form of drinks bottles consumed ‘on the go’ – forms a massive amount of litter by volume, followed closely by plastic based crisp packets and food wrapping.  It’s an epidemic.  And we aren’t hearing enough about it from government.” 

Rob Collins, Director of Policy and Science, The Rivers Trust described plastic pollution as a “huge societal problem”, including for aquatic life, with implications for human health too. “There is still much we don't know about plastic pollution, so citizen science can play a vital role in advancing our understanding when communities, academia, and others work together to ensure data is reliable and robust.

“In the coming years, we need to see action on plastic pollution, including the implementation of the deposit return scheme, and in the government's circular economy growth plan, as promised in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP).”

A key aim of the study was to protect valuable citizen science data from being lost. Many projects close or change over time, risking the disappearance of large volumes of environmental information.   

By linking citizen-generated data with mapping and census information, the study demonstrates how artificial intelligence can support targeted, evidence-based action to reduce pollution and improve waste management. 

As Rachel Yates, Plastic Pollution Campaigns Manager at SAS said, “This important piece of research from Portsmouth University not only shows the power of citizen science, but lays the problem bare: how much more evidence does there need to be until the government takes some action on implementing targeted environmental policy?” 

The authors believe the research provides robust national evidence to inform environmental policy and support more effective responses to plastic pollution. 

Yates continued, “We’re drowning in plastic and UK government is falling far behind on tackling the issue with robust policies. We demand an end to the production and use of non-essential single use and polluting plastics in the UK, and the creation of a deposit return scheme and circular economy.

“Sir Keir and his cabinet must stop floundering and pandering to the polluters, and take decisive, immediate action on tackling plastic pollution.”