Number of litter items in Queensland
Key Finding
Since sampling under the National Litter Index commenced in 2005–06, Queensland has generally experienced higher average litter counts than the National average. However the average numbered of litter items has been trending down over this time period for both Queensland and nationally.
Since 2005, the Keep Australia Beautiful network has produced the National Litter Index (NLI), based on bi‑annual litter surveys of 983 urban and near-urban areas across Australia.
Survey sites are categorised according to their location type, and the same sites are used in each survey. No adjustments are made to account for the effect of population size or density on littering rates. All litter items are counted and categorised according to their material type. Estimates of litter volume are derived according to NLI-determined volume ratios for each litter type.
Besides the 2008–09 sampling period, Queensland has consistently recorded a higher average number of litter items than the Australian average. In 2018–19, Queensland litter count stood at 51 pieces/ 1,000m2, compared to the Australian average of 39 pieces.
While the volume of litter in Queensland has continued to reduce, the National volumes have also declined at a greater rate meaning that in 2018–19 Queensland litter volumes (3.32 litres/1,000m2) were slightly above the national average (3.11 litres/1,000m2). This has been the trend for the last 3 years.
Both the number of litter items and total volume of litter have declined in Queensland and Australia since litter surveys started in 2005.
More information:
- Keep Australia Beautiful — National litter index
- Number of litter items for different site types
- Main material types littered
Relevant Sustainable Development Goals’ targets
Download data from Queensland Government data
Metadata
Average number and volume of litter items per 1,000m2 for Queensland and Australia, 2005–2006 to 2018–2019 (data from the National Litter Index).