A new national study reveals litter nationwide has dropped by 34% since 2020, but Brevard County is bucking the trend. Local officials report increasing amounts of trash, particularly along coastlines. Keep America Beautiful’s latest report shows 35 billion pieces of litter nationwide, but coastal regions in Brevard have far more per mile than inland areas. Cigarette butts and small plastic fragments are the most common items collected in the county.
Deb Harmon, interim executive director of Keep Brevard Beautiful (KBB), said the national study’s methodology differs from local reporting. 'We can’t directly compare national trends to Brevard County,' she wrote in an email. KBB’s data collection methods and focus areas may explain why local litter rates aren’t aligning with national improvements. The study highlights that coastal regions, including Brevard’s beaches and waterways, have higher litter density than inland roads.
The national decline includes a 22% drop in roadway litter and a 45% decrease in waterway trash since 2020. However, Brevard’s coastal areas show no such improvement. Local cleanup crews report more debris, especially after storms. 'The depressing debris just keeps piling up,' said one volunteer. Cigarette butts remain a persistent issue, with KBB collecting thousands annually from beaches and parks.
Keep America Beautiful’s report also notes some litter types are increasing nationwide, though overall totals are down. In Brevard, the challenge is compounded by tourism and coastal recreation. Harmon said KBB continues to push for education and community cleanups but faces an uphill battle. 'We’re working hard, but the problem is growing,' she said. Local residents and officials are now calling for more targeted efforts to address the rising litter crisis in the county.