Britain has a litter crisis, and it’s not going to be solved by volunteers with bin bags alone.
Every year, councils spend over £1 billion cleaning up after people who face almost no consequences for dropping litter or fly-tipping. Our research shows councils issue 52 parking fines for every single littering fine. In fact, 66 councils issued zero littering penalties last year.
It’s time for systemic change. That’s why we’ve developed this 10-Point Action Plan, a practical, evidence-based blueprint to transform how Britain tackles litter and fly-tipping.
10-POINT ACTION PLAN TO CLEAN UP OUR COUNTRY
1. Littering fines to be increased to £1000 (the level no longer to be set by councils). Can’t pay? Then 100 hours of community service.
2. Widespread rollout of AI Cameras on motorways, slip-roads and road junctions.
3. National Dashcam website to be created (for drivers to upload video of litter ejected from vehicles).
4. Drivers/passengers who litter to be penalised with 6 penalty points.
5. Unemployed people receiving Universal Credit to undertake four hours of compulsory community litter-picking every month – or lose benefits.
6. ‘National pride’ module on the national curriculum – caring for your community and your country (to include litter/fly-tipping, river pollution and chewing gum disposal).
7. Non-biodegradable chewing gum to be banned.
8. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to be made mandatory at all drive-thru fast-food restaurants.
9. Litter accumulation on the motorways, slip-roads and roundabouts to be monitored by an independent organisation. Sub-standard performance to trigger a reduction in the National Highways’ senior executives’ remuneration package.
10. Design and Launch a National Behaviour Change Campaign.
These aren’t radical ideas. Many are already being implemented in other countries, and some are already being piloted in the UK. What’s missing is the political will to implement them nationally.
We’re calling on the Government to adopt this plan and finally get serious about cleaning up our country.
Support our campaign by sharing this plan, engaging with our social media, or donating to help us keep pushing for change.
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