Litter composition by density
The graphs in this section show the composition of litter density data recorded by the study in 2022–23, reported as the number of items per 1000m2.
Most-littered items
The chart below shows the top 10 most-littered items recorded by the KLIS in 2022–23, by density.
Confectionary wrappers and snack bags, straws, and beverage container lids and are the top three litter items, accounting for almost a third of all litter.
The top 10 items account for 58% of all litter.
Litter by category
All items have been aggregated into similar categories, based on how they are used and consumed. Using these categories helps inform program and policy responses.
The charts below show the categories of litter recorded by the KLIS in 2022–23 compared with the 2018–19 baseline.
The takeaway and beverage and confectionary and snacks categories account for 53% of all litter items.
Litter by material
The chart below shows the material makeup of litter recorded by the KLIS in 2022–23.
About 79% of the litter is plastic. It should be noted that the KLIS surveys are carried out in estuaries. Here, plastic litter is likely to predominate because paper-based litter is susceptible to breaking up, and heavy litter, such as metal and glass, is more likely to sink.