Litter composition by density

The graphs in this section show the composition of litter density data recorded by the study in 2024–25, 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 2024–25, by density.

Confectionery wrappers and snack bags, foil and Other plastic bags are the top 3 litter items, accounting for 34% of littered items. 

The top 10 items account for 57% of all litter.

Litter by category

The charts below show the categories of litter recorded by the KLIS in 2024–25 compared with the 2018–19 baseline.

All items have been aggregated into categories, based on how they are used and consumed. Using these categories helps inform program and policy responses.

The takeaway and beverage and confectionary and snacks categories account for 44% of all litter items.

Litter by material

The chart below shows the material makeup of litter recorded by the KLIS in 2024–25.

About 74% of the litter is plastic. 

It should be noted that the KLIS surveys are carried out in estuaries. 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.