Litter is an ever-growing problem that can be found almost everywhere on the planet. Although unsightly litter can be dangerous to humans and animals, its environmental impact is often overlooked. In this post, we’ll explore what litter is, how it contributes to climate change, and what can be done about it.

Litter is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “small pieces of rubbish that have been left lying on the ground in public places.” It can be found on the streets, in parks, beaches, waterways, and the ocean. Common examples of litter include plastic bottles, glass bottles, cigarette butts, aluminum cans, fast-food packaging, and confectionery packaging. Fly-tipping, which is littering on a larger scale, is often composed of electronics, furniture, and white goods.

According to the most up-to-date government data, the authorities have spent millions to clear litter from public places. Unfortunately, litter is on the increase and has been for decades. A new litter category has joined the rest since 2020: PPE. Face masks, for example, often litter the ground outside medical settings. Additionally, dog mess is also on the rise due to the pandemic, as dog ownership increased after the first national lockdown.

So, how does litter contribute to climate change? Litter doesn’t directly cause climate change, but it contributes indirectly through several methods. When litter is not picked up, it breaks down and releases toxic gases and chemicals that make their way into the air, soil, and waterways. One of these gases is methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Additionally, the transportation of litter to waste disposal sites requires energy, often from fossil fuels that produce greenhouse gas emissions.

What can be done to tackle litter and its impact on climate change? Ideally, people would stop littering, but the statistics suggest that’s not likely anytime soon. Therefore, here are a few ideas for activities to help:

1. Dispose of waste properly: Be mindful of how you dispose of your waste. Not all littering is intentional, so always find a bin or take your waste home when you leave a public space. Remember to recycle where possible.

2. Reduce waste: Litter is waste, so if people reduce the amount of waste they produce, littering will also decrease. You can reduce waste in many ways, including buying in bulk, making lunches rather than buying them, switching to cloth nappies, and using a menstrual cup. Moving away from single-use items and using reusable cups, water bottles, and shopping bags instead is ideal.

3. Educate and spread awareness: Education is critical to reducing street litter. Raising awareness of litter’s environmental impact can encourage people to act positively. For example, setting up education programmes for schools can help promote the proper disposal of litter.

4. Litter picks: Any litter picking activity, whether by local authorities, businesses, or individuals, is worthwhile. The less litter on the ground and in the ocean, the better.

5. Report littering: Individuals can help in the fight against litter by reporting incidents of littering as and when they witness them. Each local authority has a different method for reporting litter crime, so familiarize yourself with your area’s method and watch out. Be ready to note the litter’s type and location, alongside car registration numbers if you see litter thrown from a vehicle.

In conclusion, litter has an indirect impact on climate change by increasing greenhouse gas emissions through decomposition and transportation to waste disposal centers. Litter also harms wildlife, with one million birds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles dying annually from eating or getting trapped in plastic. By taking action, such as proper waste disposal, reducing waste, educating and spreading