The Keep Australia Beautiful National Litter Index aims to collect empirical data on litter and litter types through physical inspections of specific,
fixed sites across Australia.
The first and second round of the National Litter Index were undertaken in November 2005 and May 2006. The audit is conducted in SA, NSW, VIC, QLD, TAS and WA.
Litter items are counted under six material type categories including glass, metal, plastic, paper / paperboard, miscellaneous and cigarette butts.
The litter is also analysed according to eight different site types including residential, beach, industrial, car park, shopping centre, retail,
recreational park and highway.
A total of 151 sites are audited in each state, except in Tasmania where only 76 sites are audited.
The National Litter Audit revealed that the top ten litter items for Australia are:
