Litter Index

The Litter Index is a comprehensive assessment of the overall appearance of a community using indicators like the presence of litter. It is a tool designed to gather data annually by surveying a random, statistical sample of a city or town. The annual results are then used to develop a local plan to determine the types of community improvement programs needed to address current conditions, to change attitudes and behaviors towards littering behavior, and to achieve long-term sustainable results. 

Each summer, Keep Charleston Beautiful staff, board members, and volunteers help to survey selected roadways. Assessing the presence of litter in your community is the first step in the litter prevention process. The Litter Index is designed to measure progress over time, so typically the same locations are surveyed from year to year. Every five years, new survey locations in the community are randomly selected. New roadway sections were selected in 2025. 

2025 Scored Litter Index Routes

To conduct the Litter Index survey, the City of Charleston is divided into five geographical areas, and then broken down into twelve council districts. Half mile to one mile segments of roadway are randomly selected within each area. Volunteers visit each survey location and provide a score for each location based on the amount of visible litter. Scores range from 1 (no litter) to 4 (extremely littered). The final index for each area is calculated by combining and then averaging the scores compiled by KCB volunteers. The Litter Index serves as an excellent barometer of the City of Charleston’s litter prevention efforts. The City's Litter Index Score for 2025 was 1.60. 

The Litter Index was created by the Keep America Beautiful, Inc. “Litter Measurement Technical Committee.” After initial review and field-testing, Keep America Beautiful local and state affiliates have utilized it every year to assess changing conditions in the communities they serve.

Average Litter Index Score by Council District
Average Litter Index Score by Geographical Region (4)
Average Litter Index Score by Council District (4)