National Highways reveals shocking roadside littering habits as it backs Great British Spring Clean

New research commissioned by National Highways has highlighted concerning roadside littering habits, with 65% of drivers who admit to littering saying they have discarded food and drink waste on the roadside.

The study, released ahead of the Great British Spring Clean (21 March – 6 April), also found that:

• 22% of litterers say they do it out of habit.
• 20% believe biodegradable items help feed wildlife, despite such waste contributing to three million animal deaths annually.
• 15% say they don’t have time to dispose of rubbish properly.
• 13% justify their actions by claiming “everyone does it.”

Young drivers were identified as the biggest offenders, with nearly one in three (31%) of 18 to 24-year-olds admitting to roadside littering in the past year.

Meanwhile, 24% of 25 to 34-year-olds and 19% of 35 to 44-year-olds also confessed to the behaviour.

Despite the dangers, 10% of drivers surveyed did not believe those picking up roadside litter faced any risks to their safety.

As part of its commitment to cleaner roads, National Highways is once again supporting the Great British Spring Clean, an annual campaign led by Keep Britain Tidy that encourages communities to tackle local litter problems.

This year, National Highways teams aim to collect at least 5,500 bags of litter across the network, contributing to the 425,000 bags gathered during last year’s campaign.

New anti-littering signs have been installed on slip roads across the country to encourage responsible waste disposal.

National Highways’ previous research found that nearly half of drivers were unaware that items like fruit peels and apple cores are considered litter and can attract wildlife into hazardous areas.

Freda Rashdi, National Highways Head of Customer Journeys, said:

“We’re proud to support the Great British Spring Clean for the tenth consecutive year and encourage everyone who can to get involved — whether by joining local litter-picking events or simply disposing of waste responsibly.

“Littering doesn’t just harm the environment, it also puts those who clean it up at risk. Plus, it can have devastating effects on wildlife and animals. By working together, we can help keep our roads and communities clean and safe.”

Allison Ogden-Newton, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, added:

“With more vehicles than ever before on our roads and a significant increase in our food and drink on-the-go culture, roadside litter is a growing problem.

“The Great British Spring Clean is an opportunity for everyone who cares about the environment on their doorstep to do something to tackle the blight of plastic pollution, and we are grateful to National Highways for their support.”

Throughout the campaign, National Highways teams, supply chain partners, and local communities will take part in regional litter-picking events.

For more information on how to get involved, visit www.keepbritaintidy.org or www.nationalhighways.co.uk.