NATIONAL LITTER STUDY: Results of The Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Litter Study have been released. The study provides a detailed understanding of the quantity, composition, and sources of litter across the United States. The organization’s 2020 study is a follow up to its landmark 2009 study, which builds on a history of science-based litter research started by Keep America Beautiful in 1969.

“I am thrilled to continue the history of Keep America Beautiful as the leader in litter research in the United States, and methodology that has now been used around the world,” said Dr. Helen Lowman, Keep America Beautiful President and CEO.

“This data will help inform our programs for years to come addressing both litter on the ground and the act of littering.”

Key findings include:

— Nearly 50 billion pieces of litter along U.S. roadways and waterways

— Slightly more litter along waterways (25.9B) than roadways (23.7B)

— 152 items for each U.S. resident

— More than 2,000 pieces of litter per mile (both roadway and waterway)

— 90% of people surveyed believe litter is a problem in their state

— 6 billion pieces more than 4 inches in size

— Most littered item remains cigarette butts, but this litter is down almost 70%

— 207.1M PPE items littered

“Litter is a pervasive problem in Pennsylvania. The pandemic has only compounded the litter and illegal dumping problems across Pennsylvania. Businesses and communities all across the Commonwealth are reeling with the high economic and environmental costs of litter,” explained Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

To learn more about Pennsylvania’s Litter Action Plan, visit https://dep.pa.gov/litteringactionplan.