Litter science has provided crucial insights that have reshaped how we approach cleanup—moving us away from purely reactive efforts toward strategic, systemic solutions.
This model is based on decades of rigorous scientific study on how to find and prevent the primary sources of litter. We can synthesize these learnings and adapt them to reduce and eventually eliminate a vast majority of litter.
This is based on science, but it really comes down to some simple ideas: find the areas with the biggest litter problems, track the amounts and types of trash that’s removed, and then keep these areas continually clean. The more that clean is the norm, the easier it is to keep more and more areas clean.
Prevent Marine Litter at the Land–Water Interface
Most marine litter originates on land, traveling through rivers, drains, and wind.
Cleanups to prevent marine litter and polution should focus strategically on critical transition zones like river mouths, stormwater outlets, and coastal edges.
Cleanups Reduce Future Littering
People are less likely to litter in clean areas.
Visible, frequent cleanups in public spaces help maintain order and discourage littering. See “broken windows theory” effect.
Targeted, Data-Driven Cleanup Is More Effective
Litter is not randomly distributed—it accumulates at hotspots due to wind, water flow, infrastructure, and human activity.
Effective cleanup must use mapping, artificial intelligence, and data to identify high-impact locations and times for intervention.
Track, Audit, and Learn From Each Cleanup
Cleanups are valuable not just for removing waste but for gathering data.
Cleanups should be used as monitoring tools—recording what’s collected, where, and when. This helps identify pollution sources, guide policy, and hold producers accountable.
