Last updated: July 2026.
Littering is responsible for 60% of water pollution around the world. Eight million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year, and NSW litter surveys record 190 items per 1,000m2 at baseline. The scale is measurable. Here are 10 facts drawn from EPA NSW data, peer-reviewed research, and independent environmental reporting.
Environmental Impact
1. 60% of water pollution around the world comes from littering
Littering is responsible for 60% of water pollution around the world, contaminating rivers, lakes, and oceans. (Business Waste, 2025.)
Chemicals released from decomposing litter can enter freshwater sources and reach the food chain, affecting both wildlife and humans.
2. Eight million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year
Plastic from streets and drains makes up around 80% of ocean plastic. It originates from land-based sources, not vessels at sea. (Business Waste, 2025.)
There are already an estimated 150 million tons of plastic in the world's oceans. Plastic litter alone harms around 600 species that live in or near the sea.
3. Over 100,000 sea creatures die from litter each year
More than 100,000 sea creatures (including dolphins, whales, fish, and turtles) are estimated to die annually after ingesting or becoming entangled in litter. (Business Waste, 2025.)
What Gets Littered
4. Five trillion cigarette butts are littered globally each year
Cigarette butts, fast-food packaging, and drink bottles are among the most littered items across the world. (Business Waste, 2025.)
The global total for cigarette butts alone is estimated at 5 trillion per year.
5. Discarded vaping devices are a growing environmental hazard
When vaping devices are disposed of incorrectly, components can leak toxic substances from e-liquids, release heavy metals from electronic circuitry into soil and water, and start fires from lithium-ion batteries. (NSW EPA.)
Decomposition and Long-Term Damage
6. An aluminium can or plastic bag can take 500 years or more to decompose
The material matters when it comes to how long litter persists. Food waste such as a banana peel may break down in three to four weeks, but an aluminium can or plastic bag can remain in the environment for 500 years or more. (Business Waste, 2025.)
The Picture in NSW
7. NSW has set a target of 60% reduction in all litter by 2030
Under the Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041, NSW has committed to a 60% reduction in all litter items by 2030 and a 30% reduction in plastic litter items by 2025. (NSW EPA, 2024.)
8. NSW has already proven large-scale litter reduction is possible
The former NSW Premier's Priority set a target of 40% reduction in litter volume by 2020. The actual result was a 43% reduction from the 2013-14 baseline, exceeding the target. (NSW EPA, 2024.)
That result, combined with the 2030 targets, shows measurable government action is producing real change.
9. 87% of NSW residents consider litter an important issue
87% of NSW residents think litter is an important issue. (NSW EPA litter research.)
One 2021 study in the Canterbury Bankstown local government area found litter on the front verge or footpath of 43% of residential properties before rubbish collection day, suggesting the gap between attitude and action is significant.
What the Law Says
10. Littering is a criminal offence in every Australian state
In NSW, littering is governed by the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act). On-the-spot penalty notice fines start at $160 for a small item or unlit cigarette. Other litter and litter from a vehicle carries an on-the-spot fine of $500 for individuals and $1,000 for corporations. Maximum court-imposed penalties are $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations. (NSW EPA, 2024.)
Members of the public can report littering from vehicles directly to the EPA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most commonly littered item?
Cigarette butts are among the most littered items worldwide, with an estimated 5 trillion littered globally each year. (Business Waste, 2025.) In NSW, takeaway and beverage packaging is the leading land-based litter category by density in government monitoring data.
What are the fines for littering in NSW?
Littering is a criminal offence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act). On-the-spot penalty notice fines start at $160 for a small item. Other litter and litter from a vehicle carries a $500 fine for individuals and $1,000 for corporations. Maximum court-imposed penalties are $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations. (NSW EPA, 2024.) The EPA also allows members of the public to report vehicle littering online.
How does litter end up in the ocean?
Around 80% of plastic in the ocean originates from land-based sources. (Business Waste, 2025.) Rain and wind carry litter from streets and drains into creeks, rivers, and eventually the sea. Reducing roadside and household litter is a direct lever on ocean pollution.
Has NSW made progress on litter reduction?
Yes. NSW recorded a 43% reduction in litter volume from the 2013-14 baseline, exceeding the Premier's Priority target of 40% by 2020. (NSW EPA, 2024.) The current targets call for a further 60% reduction in all litter items by 2030.
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