Clean Up Britain AI Litter Dashcam App on BBC Radio Shropshire

Our Director, Robin Bennett, recently spent time on the road with Mark Elliott from BBC Radio Shropshire to demonstrate the AI Litter Dashcam app. Developed and donated by Start Software to the Clean Up Britain campaign, this innovative tool is designed to highlight and quantify the litter crisis on our road network.

Robin outside the BBC Radio Shropshire studios

Testing the App on the A49 and A5

Robin and Mark drove along the A49 and A5 corridors around Shrewsbury to witness the litter problem firsthand and see the app in action. The technology is remarkably simple to use: drivers just mount their phone, open the web-based app, and select the "AI Dashcam" mode. The app then takes photos every 10 seconds, uses Artificial Intelligence to grade the litter, and automatically uploads the results—including the specific road name and the local authority or National Highways area responsible for its maintenance.

The AI Dashcam app in action, grading roadside litter in real-time

As we previously highlighted in our post Start Software's apps for Clean Up Britain appear on ITV's Good Morning Britain, this data is vital for informing national policy and holding the relevant authorities to account.

Shocking Local and National Statistics

During the drive, the extent of the problem in Shropshire became clear. While the app has already captured over 28,000 reports nationwide, the local data is particularly telling:

• In Shropshire, the app has captured over 3,000 reports.
• More than 250 of these are in the "C" and "D" categories—which represent unacceptable, "filthy" levels of litter under current legislation.
• Nationally, the database is growing by approximately 1,000 reports every single week.

Mark Elliott inspecting the volume of waste at a local layby

Could this be one of Shropshire's worst laybys for litter?

The Reality of Roadside Maintenance

One of the most frustrating sights during the trip was seeing a bin that had been recently emptied, yet the litter surrounding it had been completely ignored. This "Grade D" environment is exactly what the app is designed to track and report.

Evidence of partial cleaning: the bin is empty, but the ground remains covered

A "Grade D" report: the AI identifies this as an unacceptable level of pollution

How You Can Help

We are encouraging more drivers, particularly professional drivers who spend a lot of time on the road, to use the app. There is no need to register, no charge, and nothing to download. By contributing data, you help build a clearer picture of the UK's litter problem.

You can use the app today by visiting https://cleanupbritain.app.  Thanks so much, Mark, for your interest and interview.

The route map showing amber hotspots where unacceptable litter levels were recorded

At Start Software, we are proud to support environmental initiatives like this alongside our core work developing software such as Alpha Tracker UK for the asbestos and environmental consultancy industries.

PS for more information about the AI Litter Dashcam app, or how Robin's team built it for Clean Up Britain, watch https://youtu.be/hwrE_48eULk