Understanding Littering

What is litter?

Littering is the action of carelessly disposing of materials in an inappropriate area rather than using the correct means of disposal.

A legal definition can be found in Section 235 of the Local Government Act.

Litter is one of the most visible and frequently encountered signs of pollution in the community.

It is vital to remember that it is the behaviour (of littering) that needs to be addressed, rather than the outcome (litter).

While regular clean-ups of litter 'hot spots' are often necessary, a focus on education and prevention rather than on control measures will be more effective in the long term.

The Litter in Car Parks Toolkit provides information and resources to tackle litter in retail and shopping centre car parks.