America’s Litter Reduction Progress
The state of cleanliness in America is on the upswing.
According to Keep America Beautiful, litter on U.S. roads and waterways has fallen by 34% since 2020. Yet, there remains a staggering 35 billion pieces of trash across the nation, as highlighted in the 2026 National Garbage Survey.
“This decline demonstrates what communities can achieve when they commit to action and urgency. However, we still have a lot of work ahead of us,” remarked Keep America Beautiful CEO Jennifer Lawson.
The survey indicates that smokers continue to leave a mark—cigarette butts are still the most frequently littered item. Nonetheless, there’s been a noticeable 62% decrease in this category since 2020.
On the other hand, litter from tires, tire threads, and vehicle parts has seen a 36% increase. Meanwhile, cardboard waste has spiked by 50% in the same timeframe.
A solid 92% of Americans believe that addressing litter should be a priority, especially as the nation approaches its 250th birthday on July 4th.
New Yorkers have a different perspective on the trash situation.
“It feels like we can’t really solve the trash problem,” stated Katie Savage, founder of the nonprofit Garbage Army in NYC. She emphasizes that it boils down to social and behavioral change, lamenting that many don’t prioritize cleanliness in public spaces.
Focusing primarily on Hell’s Kitchen, her organization has observed some improvements over the years, though the issue still persists.
In 2021, Legion volunteers gathered 3,097 pounds of litter, while in 2025, £2,266 was raised, with 29 cleanup events held each year.
The New York City Department of Sanitation requires property owners to manage trash on the sidewalk and within 18 inches of the street in front of their properties.
“It would be ideal if each property owner took responsibility for their piece of the city, but there’s a good number who neglect this,” Savage noted.
She urged fellow New Yorkers to take initiative: “Just grab some gloves and a plastic bag, and head outside to pick up some trash.”
