Clean Up Britain launches AI-powered app to track littering from vehicles and expose Britain’s roadside waste crisis.
- Over 1.26 million fly-tipping incidents were recorded in England last year, up 9% year on year
- More than 70 councils issued zero fines for littering, with many others issuing fewer than 10
- Public concern is rising, with 55% of drivers saying roadside litter is getting worse
- Clean Up Britain launches new app to track litter in real time and report offenders directly to authorities
Clean Up Britain has launched a new technology platform aimed at tackling the UK’s worsening litter crisis, using real-time data, public reporting, and AI tools to track pollution and support enforcement against offenders.
The launch comes as new figures highlight both the scale of the problem and the lack of meaningful enforcement. Local authorities in England dealt with more than 1.26 million fly-tipping incidents last year, a 9% increase on the previous year, with over a third occurring on roads and highways.
At the same time, enforcement remains inconsistent. Analysis linked to Clean Up Britain has shown that more than 70 councils failed to issue a single fine for littering, while many others issued fewer than 10, despite having the legal powers to act.
Public frustration is growing. More than half of UK drivers now say roadside litter is getting worse, underlining the sense that the issue is becoming normalised.
The new platform, available via cleanupbritain.app, is designed to bridge that gap between rising public concern and limited enforcement. It allows users to report litter hotspots, grade roadside conditions and, crucially, submit evidence of litter being thrown from vehicles.
A new “Litter Witness” feature enables users to upload photo or video footage of incidents, while a developing AI dashcam mode will allow phones to automatically monitor roadside conditions during journeys, turning everyday travel into a live national reporting network.
Together, this creates a real-time map of litter across the country, showing where conditions are deteriorating and providing data that can be shared directly with councils and authorities.
John Read, Founder of Clean Up Britain, said:
“We all see it. Litter thrown from cars, verges covered in rubbish, the slow normalisation of something that should never be acceptable. The problem isn’t just the volume of litter; it’s the lack of consequences. When councils issue no fines at all, it sends a very clear message.
This platform is about changing that. It gives the public a simple way to report what they see, helps build a national picture of the problem, and supports action against those responsible. If we want to change behaviour, we need visibility, and we need accountability.”
The platform has been developed by Start Software, which has built and supported the system at no cost.
It also forms part of a wider ecosystem of technology-led approaches to tackling litter and waste. Platforms such as Map the Mess, PickIt and OpenLitterMap are helping to map pollution, track clean-up activity and build global datasets, with Clean Up Britain supporting greater awareness and collaboration across the space.
By combining public participation, data and technology, Clean Up Britain hopes to shift the fight against litter from passive frustration to active enforcement — and ultimately help reverse the growing tide of waste on Britain’s roads and public spaces.
The platform is available now here.
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