Three-quarters of voters say councils failing to tackle litter
Image: Lara Jameson, Pexels
UK voters overwhelmingly back stronger action to tackle waste and pollution ahead this week’s local elections, new research from the Nature 2030 campaign has revealed.
The poll found that three quarters (74%) of respondents are concerned that not enough is being done by local councils to tackle litter and pollution in their area.
With strikes by refuse collectors ongoing in Birmingham, public frustration is mounting, with 73% of voters saying ministers should step in to collect waste.
As Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces his first electoral test since winning a landslide majority last summer, the findings suggest environmental issues could prove decisive at the ballot box on 1 May.
Nearly half of voters (43%) indicated they are more likely to vote for parties that prioritise tackling litter and pollution.
The research also revealed widespread dissatisfaction with current plastic packaging practices, with 78% agreeing there is still too much single-use plastic in food and drinks packaging.
Despite the Government’s announcement of a 2027 deposit return scheme (DRS) to reduce drinks-related litter, half (51%) of respondents were unaware of this initiative.
Campaigners say both the Government and councils are falling short in educating the public on what is being done to tackle waste.
Meanwhile, data from the Marine Conservation Society shows a 9.5% rise in plastic pollution on UK and Channel Islands beaches between 2023 and 2024, with the five most commonly littered items all made of plastic.
Three-quarters (76%) of respondents say producers of plastic packaging should be responsible for funding clean-up schemes, not taxpayers.
But while initiatives like the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) aim to tackle these issues, they have been met with strong resistance from some UK businesses.
Some argue the schemes unfairly burden them with extra logistical costs, despite their significant role in generating this kind of waste.
The DRS is set to launch in October 2027, while fees for packaging producers are scheduled to commence in October 2025, under new EPR regulations.
Ministers have also confirmed that the Circular Economy Taskforce will make circularity one of its five priorities to help tackle waste and boost recycling.
Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, says, “This research shows the public urgently want to see concrete action to boost recycling, while stamping out our reliance on unnecessary single-use plastics that pollute our natural landscapes and waterways.
“The Government must recognise this is a priority issue for voters and support local authorities to tackle Britain’s waste crisis.”
Dominic Dyer, chair, Nature 2030, “These findings reveal overwhelming public demand for action on waste and pollution and the need for stronger public education to support long-term solutions such as the DRS. Voters want both councils and producers to be held accountable for tackling our litter crisis.
“With environmental concerns increasingly influencing voting decisions, candidates in Thursday’s elections should take note – the public want meaningful change, not empty promises.”
Catherine Gemmell, policy and advocacy manager, Marine Conservation Society, “These findings send a clear message to council candidates ahead of Thursday’s local elections. The public are deeply concerned about litter and voters expect more action from councils, and plastic producers, to tackle it.
“With 158 items of litter found on average per 100 metres of beach surveyed by our volunteers last year, and over 13,000 items of litter removed from our towns, parks and rivers through our inland litter pick, it is clear that more has to be done at every level of government to stop litter polluting our ocean.
“Councillors can play their part through taking local legislative action such as banning balloon releases on local authority ground, ensuring support for local litter picks and beach cleans and raising awareness of ocean literacy in education settings.”
