24 August 2026
Guy Barnett, Minister for Environment and Climate Change
Tasmania’s environment is getting cleaner, with the amount of litter across the State falling by 60 per cent over past three years.
Statewide litter surveys commissioned by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania tracked litter trends at 24 sites across the state between 2023 and 2026.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Guy Barnett said the results demonstrate that Tasmania is making strong progress in reducing litter across our communities.
“A 60 per cent reduction in the volume of litter is a significant achievement and reflects the combined efforts of local councils, community groups, businesses and Tasmanians who are doing the right thing,” Minister Barnett said.
Cigarette butts and filters were the most frequently littered items found across survey sites, while plastic items, including food and non-food packaging and plastic fragments, continued to account for the largest proportion of litter.
Main roads were the most littered locations, followed by industrial and retail areas. Parks, residential areas and beaches recorded the lowest litter levels.
“These results demonstrate that Recycle Rewards is helping to reduce the number of drink containers in the environment,” Minister Barnett said.
“Every container returned means less litter in our parks, streets and waterways, and more resources recovered through the circular economy.
“Our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future continues to deliver practical action to reduce litter, increase recycling and support stronger communities across Tasmania.”