Keep Wales Tidy has been developing policies on issues that influence our work. The Local Environmental Quality Team has established policies that would, if implemented, help to keep our country cleaner, safer and tidier. This involves us researching the extent of the issue in question, the relevant policy background and good practice before setting out recommendations.
Roadside litter
Roadside litter
This paper examines the responsibilities of landowners/occupiers to remove litter from road sides and considers the legislation in place to ensure duties are met. The paper then looks at the various approaches to tackling the problem that have been adopted elsewhere, before setting out Keep Wales Tidy’s policy recommendations.
Roadside litter: Roadside litter, 2011.pdf (687k) 
Chewing gum litter (update)
Chewing gum litter update
This paper follows a Keep Wales Tidy’s policy paper on chewing gum from 2005. Keep Wales Tidy has deemed it appropriate to update the paper in order to report on progress from our previous recommendations and acknowledge product developments, good practice elsewhere and implementation of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. This paper sets out a series of updated recommendations based around prevention, monitoring and supporting local authorities in Wales.
Chewing gum litter update: Chewing Gum litter policy update - June 2010.pdf (601k)
Litter and fly-tipping on private land
Litter and fly-tipping on private land
This paper attempts to cover the main issues around large accumulations of litter and fly-tipping on privately owned land, as opposed to publicly owned land. The paper considers the potential impact on local environmental quality, the legislation in place to deal with the problem and other options adopted by local authorities and the Environment Agency.
Litter and fly-tipping on private land: Litter on private land.pdf (620k)
Smoking related litter
Smoking related litter, 2009
Smoking related litter includes cigarette packets and the associated foil and cellophane wrapping, tobacco pouches and paper, cigarette lighters, matches and match-boxes and most frequently cigarette ends. Keep Wales Tidy surveys have shown that smoking related litter is consistently the most common type of litter on Welsh streets; present on up to 98.8% of streets within a local authority. This paper updates a previous Keep Wales Tidy paper, acknowledging the change in circumstances since the introduction of the smoking ban in 2007.
Smoking related litter, 2009: Smoking Related Litter.pdf (770k)
Abandoned vehicles
Abandoned Vehicles, 2009
In this paper Keep Wales Tidy notes that the number of abandoned vehicles seems to be dropping; nevertheless it recognises the many impacts that abandoned vehicles have on neighbourhoods. The paper outlines relevant legislation and discusses the various ways in which local authorities have dealt with abandoned vehicles. It suggests that local authorities are now well placed to deal with incidents of abandoned vehicles but suggests that national data should be standardised and included in the Welsh Assembly Government’s Towards Zero Waste document.
Abandoned Vehicles, 2009: Abandoned vehicles policy paper (for consultation).pdf (386k)
Fast food litter
Fast food litter, 2008 (open for consultation)
Our surveys have shown that the presence of fast food litter has steadily increased to 17.2% of Wales’ streets. This paper provides explanations as to the rise, describes the implications of such litter and explores the various initiatives that have been implemented to tackle the issue, before setting out a series of recommendations to bring about future improvements. The recommendations are aimed at local government and the fast food industry.
Fast food litter, 2008 (open for consultation): Fast Food Litter Policy Paper.pdf (495k)
Balloon litter
Balloon litter, 2008
Keep Wales Tidy has examined the issues surrounding balloon litter and the intentional act of releasing balloons into the environment through general balloon releases. It is the belief of Keep Wales Tidy that further work is needed to address the issue of balloon releases in particular a review of the relevant legislation.
Balloon litter, 2008: Balloons.pdf (517k)
Recycling on the go
Recycling on the go
This paper acknowledges the improved domestic recycling rates in Wales over recent years, yet recognises that the Nation continues to recycle at a rate lower than much of Europe. The paper observes that Wales has an undeveloped culture of ‘recycling on the go’ and that there is no National Strategy for on street recycling provision. Although there have been numerous individual initiatives, the sharing of good practise across different organisations has been limited. This paper then sets out to highlight existing initiatives and address such issues.
Recycling on the go: Recycling Bins policy paper.pdf (782k)
Drug related litter
Drug related litter, 2007
By the term ‘drug related litter, Keep Wales Tidy are referring to discarded needles, syringes and sharps associated with the intravenous consumption of illegal drugs. While drug related litter is not a widespread problem across Wales, this paper demonstrates that there is a "hidden" problem which needs to be addressed as there are potentially very serious consequences of needles and syringes.
Drug related litter, 2007: Drug Related Litter Policy Paper.pdf (316k)
Vehicle litter
Vehicle litter, 2006
In this paper Keep Wales Tidy outlines the various implications of litter that has been discarded from vehicles. The research involved liaising with representatives from each of Wales’ 22 Local Authorities with a view to understanding the various approaches used to enforce against the issue. The paper sets out recommendations on how to tackle the issue relating to the consistency of approaches, legislation, statutory undertakers and campaigns.
Vehicle litter, 2006: Vehicle litter.pdf (574k)
Graffiti
Graffiti, 2006
Graffiti affects 8.9% of streets surveyed in Wales and Keep Wales Tidy estimates the cost of removing graffiti in Wales to be approximately £1million per year. It also impacts on people's perceptions of an area and can lead to a decrease in investment. This paper outlines examples of initiatives intended to reduce graffiti that have been carried out across the UK and beyond. Keep Wales Tidy concludes that ‘rapid removal schemes’ and law enforcement and detection, particularly reward schemes, are the most effective methods for reducing graffiti on our streets.
Graffiti, 2006: Graffiti paper.pdf (392k)
Red elastic bands
Plastic bags
Plastic bags, 2006
Approximately 490 million plastic bags are used in Wales each year with a range of implications. This paper outlines how the plastic bag lobby has consistently understated and underplayed the problems caused by plastic bag litter. It is Keep Wales Tidy’s desire to reduce littering of carrier bags, preferably by a return to the re-use of multi-trip bags. This document sets out our means of achieving the aim.
Plastic bags, 2006: Plastic Bags.pdf (634k)
Cans and bottles
Cans and bottles, 2006
This document is Keep Wales Tidy’s policy response to the problem of drinks cans and bottles litter in Wales. It identifies the role of such litter in contributing towards Wales’ annual street cleansing bill and that this type of litter invariably takes significant amounts of time to biodegrade, thereby posing a constant threat to the wildlife of Wales. In this paper, Keep Wales Tidy maintains a need for education and enforcement on the subject and argues for a National can and bottle deposit scheme.
Cans and bottles, 2006: Cans and Bottles.pdf (5312k)
Dog fouling
Dog fouling, 2006
Dog fouling affects 14% of streets in Wales and is consistently one of the most complained about subjects to Councils. In this paper Keep Wales Tidy considers where the responsibility lays, the legislative background and good practice. It concludes that public education and enforcement are the only long term success measures in reducing dog fouling on streets.
Dog fouling, 2006: Dog Fouling Position Paper.pdf (273k)
Chewing gum
Chewing gum litter, 2005
The problem of chewing gum stains repeatedly hits the news headlines. Inappropriate chewing gum disposal is a litter issue. This document sets out Keep Wales Tidy’s policy options on chewing gum, with a recommendation for a clear policy statement in support of a tax on chewing gum as the most effective means of addressing the problem.
Chewing gum litter, 2005: Chewing Gum.pdf (2351k)
The following link takes you to the summary of a major piece of research commissioned by Keep Wales Tidy in 2010. The intention was to develop a better understanding of the people who litter, why they litter and what they perceive as a clean environment. The information is being used to develop new data collection methodologies , policies, strategies and campaigns. Litter Perception Summary Report
This Good Practice Guide –Designing for a Clean, Safe and Tidy Environment was produced by Keep Wales Tidy, because current guidance available on urban and street design has limited information on the aftercare of streets and how to ensure the original quality of the design is retained. The document outlines recommendations and a set a general principles which are intended to aid design professionals. The full report can be downloaded here.