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. These policies can be updated or amended as required in the future.
Litter and fly-tipping on private land
Litter 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 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)
Designing for safe clean and tidy environments
Designing for Safe Clean and Tidy Environments, 2007
In this paper Keep Wales Tidy recognises the importance of good design in both enhancing peoples’ lives and reducing the degradation caused by litter, fly-posting and graffiti. From an examination of current policy guidance on design at the local and national level Keep Wales Tidy have concluded that consideration of how to prevent this type of degradation through design is given insufficient consideration. Keep Wales Tidy believes their recommendations could lead to improvements, save money and resources and contribute to creating more sustainable communities. Keep Wales Tidy have expanded on this paper by producing a full report on the subject, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Designing for Safe Clean and Tidy Environments, 2007: Design Policy Paper.pdf (420k)
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
Red elastic bands
In this paper, Keep Wales Tidy establishes the extent of the issue of littered red bands on the streets of Wales and attributes them primarily to the Royal Mail. The paper describes the implications that littered bands have and suggests a key consideration for local authorities may be the impact on general street cleanliness. Keep Wales Tidy makes clear that the act of dropping such bands is a littering offence, liable to prosecution and points to alternative actions to tackle the problem.
Red elastic bands: Red Elastic Bands.PDF (358k) 
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 litter
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)
Click on any of the policies above to find out more.
Specific Projects
From time to time Keep Wales Tidy undertakes projects on specific topics. The most recent of these saw the creation of a good practice guide, Designing for a Clean, Safe and Tidy Environment. This was thought necessary because of the limited information currently available on the effect that design, street furniture, provision of bins and type of paving materials used can have on the "aftercare "of our streets. The summary document can be viewed here and the full document can be viewed here.
The National Cycle Network Environmental Quality project is a joint scheme between Keep Wales Tidy and Sustrans to develop methods of carrying out Environmental Surveys along the National Cycle Network, either by cycling or on foot. This data will then be fed into the Tidy Towns initiative to organise clean ups to tackle the problematic areas identified.
Volunteers need to work with the project officer to develop effective environmental surveying techniques, including:
• Collecting data measuring the incidence of litter, refuse, fly-tipping, graffiti etc.
• Using GPS systems and OS maps to identify specific locations
• Entering data via a PC based system
• Working with GIS mapping systems
• Carrying out ongoing monitoring of environmental standards
For more information on the NCN Environmental Quality project, please contact Richard Barrett:
richard.barrett@keepwalestidy.org.