Every piece of litter tells a story, and understanding that story helps us prevent it.

Over the past few months, WSROC’s Regional Litter Prevention Officer, together with staff from seven Western Sydney councils, completed Year 2 Local Litter Checks and Cigarette Butt Litter Checks across 26 sites throughout the region.

These annual assessments are about far more than just counting litter. By identifying litter sources, observing disposal behaviours, and comparing results with our 2025 baseline data, we're building a clearer picture of what is working and where further action is needed.

Some of the key findings from 2026 include:

• Small litter items (smaller than a thumb) continue to account for most litter found in the environment.
• Hard and soft plastic fragments, paper fragments, and cigarette butts remain the most common litter types.
• Businesses and private landowners can play a greater role in reducing litter through simple actions such as providing bins for customer use and removing litter before mowing activities.

The program is also helping build long-term capacity across local government, with council officers trained in litter auditing techniques and equipped to implement targeted litter prevention initiatives within their communities.

The Western Sydney Regional Litter Prevention Program is delivered on behalf of Blacktown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Liverpool, Parramatta, and The Hills councils and funded by the NSW Government through the NSW EPA Litter Prevention Grants Program.

Together, we are creating cleaner, more sustainable places for our communities.

More information, see: WSROC's Litter Prevention Program.