Litter survey shows increase in cleanliness last year

New figures out today indicate that anti-litter efforts appear to be having an effect in many parts of the country.

The latest assessment from the Department of the Environment's National Litter Pollution Monitoring System says the percentage of areas with a high level of cleanliness increased from just over 60% to almost 64% last year.

There was a corresponding decrease in the number of moderately and significantly polluted areas.

Cigarettes, food and packaging were the most common forms of litter, while passing pedestrians and motorists, retail outlets and fast-food outlets were the main sources of litter nationally.