National Litter Pollution Monitoring System (NLPMS) - Survey Forms, Databases and Photographs

The National Litter Pollution Monitoring System (NLPMS) surveys are to be completed between March and December each year. Please note the following information in relation to the completion of Litter Quantification Surveys and Litter Pollution Surveys:

Litter Quantification Surveys

• Surveys to be completed as long as possible after the last cleansing sweep. This is to ensure that the largest possible amount of litter is found at any one time and to further increase the chances of a large sample size.
• Surveys should be completed at different times of the day, on different days of the week and in different months of the year. This will allow a true representation of litter pollution variance with time.
• Only newly deposited chewing gum should be included in the survey count, that is, freshly deposited chewing gum which is white in colour and 3D in shape, and
• It is essential to ensure that each section of the survey form is completed in full; the conclusion/comment sections are particularly relevant. This option is valuable as it enables the Litter Monitoring Body (LMB) to determine causative factors and provides surveyors with a platform to provide feedback.

Litter Pollution Surveys

• Ensure the correct area cleanliness rating is assigned to a survey location, especially when assigning an area as "unpolluted or litter free" (LPI 1). "Unpolluted or litter free" (LPI 1) means that there is no litter present within the survey stretch, that is, there is no presence of litter within the survey stretch including chewing gum or cigarette ends. Photographs illustrating examples of area cleanliness ratings are available on www.litter.ie, and
• Photographs are to be provided to the LMB for each Litter Pollution Survey area completed. This will allow the LMB to continually audit the System. At least 1 photograph is required of each survey location and can be forwarded to the LMB during the course of the year.