Why do 94% of Americans see litter as a major problem, yet many fail to notice progress even as national litter rates decline?

In this episode, Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, sits down with Wendy Salomon, Head of Reputation at The Harris Poll, to explore the surprising disconnect between public perception and hard data. Together, they unpack what truly motivates people to care for their communities, the intersection of civic pride and corporate responsibility, and how small local actions are sparking nationwide change just in time for America's 250th birthday.

In part two of this two-part episode of Do Beautiful Things, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful (KAB), talks with David Scott, PhD, KAB’s Senior Vice President of Data and Research, about the latest insights from the 2026 National Litter Study. Together, they unpack surprising litter trends across the United States—from the scale of coastal pollution to the often-overlooked problem of small litter and the rise in cardboard and vehicle debris. They also highlight encouraging progress, including a significant decline in cigarette butt litter, and discuss how prevention, community action, and smarter solutions can help build cleaner, greener communities for everyone.

In this episode of Do Beautiful Things, Jennifer Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, joins David Scott, PhD, SVP of Data and Research, to discuss the 2026 National Litter Study and what a 34% decline in litter means for communities nationwide. Dr. Scott offers an inside look at what it takes to count 35 billion pieces of litter across thousands of miles of roadways, waterways, and, for the first time, coastal areas—from rigorous field research conducted by trained environmental consultants to the careful methods used to ensure reliable, unbiased data.

Download the 2026 National Litter Study: https://kab.org/litter/litter-study/

Show Notes

• 00:00 Research partnerships on litter studies

• 05:50 Conducting thorough litter research

• 09:55 Discussing per capita litter issue

• 11:39 Studying litter and water pollution

• 15:05 Impact of coastal pollution