Community Litter Hub
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Data collection
There are several organisations coordinating data collection on litter, many of them are Scotland or UK based and some worldwide. Have a look at the below and take part in any you think serves your purpose – whether that be to input to datasets in specific land types, to monitor your neighbourhood or evidence interventions.
A project is currently underway to improve the consistency of litter data as an action under the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy. The aim is to “actively promote, and improve quality and consistency of citizen science to support litter data collection, and complement existing programmes.”
Non specific environments
Keep Scotland Beautiful
A count of all litter in a measured area anywhere in your community in Scotland to evidence and use to take preventative action against litter.
The Marine Conservation Society
Count litter items within 15 categories in a measured area inland anywhere in the UK to track litter pollution back to source. This data is used to find solutions to ocean pollution and campaigning for positive change.
Marine specific environments
Keep Scotland Beautiful
A count of all litter in a measured area anywhere along your local river in Scotland can help input to Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Upstream Battle(R) campaign. This feeds into the International Ocean Conservancy dataset.
The Marine Conservation Society
Record all litter in a measured area (a 100m stretch) on beaches during a Marine Conservation Society beach clean to track marine litter. This data feeds into the International Ocean Conservancy dataset as well as feeding into the North East Atlantic regional OSPAR monitoring programme.
Many of these datasets form annual reports which highlight any changes in litter found as well as calls for what need to change, find out more in the Importance of data page. Some are data collection systems only and the data is for the users’ needs.
