Public demands tougher action on litter as councils face voter backlash ahead of local elections
A significant majority of UK voters believe local councils are failing to adequately address litter and pollution, according to new polling data released by the Nature 2030 campaign just days before the local elections.
The research reveals that 74% of respondents think their local authority is not doing enough to tackle litter. Additionally, 72% say councils should face legal action if they fail to clear dumped rubbish, and 73% believe ministers should intervene directly during refuse worker strikes, such as those currently affecting Birmingham.
As Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares for his first major electoral test since last summer’s general election victory, the findings suggest environmental issues could play a pivotal role in shaping voter behaviour. Forty-three percent of respondents said they are more likely to support parties that prioritise tackling waste and pollution.
The polling also uncovered dissatisfaction with plastic waste, with 78% of voters agreeing there is still too much single-use plastic in food and drinks packaging. Despite plans to introduce a UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) by October 2027, more than half of those surveyed (51%) were unaware of the initiative.
“Voters want both councils and producers to be held accountable for tackling our litter crisis.”
Campaigners argue that both councils and the government are falling short in informing the public about efforts to reduce waste. Data from the Marine Conservation Society adds to the concern, showing a 9.5% increase in plastic pollution on UK and Channel Islands beaches between 2023 and 2024, with all five of the most commonly found items made of plastic.
There is also strong support for shifting the financial burden of clean-up efforts away from taxpayers. Seventy-six percent of respondents believe packaging producers—not the public—should pay for litter collection and recycling schemes. However, industry groups have raised concerns over the cost of compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and the forthcoming DRS.
Commenting on the findings, Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, said: “This research shows the public urgently want to see concrete action to boost recycling while stamping out our reliance on unnecessary single-use plastics.”
Dominic Dyer, Chair of the Nature 2030 campaign, added: “Voters want both councils and producers to be held accountable for tackling our litter crisis. Candidates in Thursday’s elections should take note – the public want meaningful change, not empty promises.”
Catherine Gemmell, Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Marine Conservation Society, urged local councillors to take legislative action at the community level, including banning balloon releases and promoting litter education in schools.
The findings underscore a growing public demand for coordinated and decisive action to combat waste and pollution across all levels of government.
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