St Mary's School pupils, from left, Shalia Narayan,Ciara Ryan, Madison Chapman and Joseph Thompson have helped keep litter off of Marlborough streets.(File Photo)

Marlborough has the lowest litter dropping rate in the country according to latest research.

Findings from the National Litter Count have put Marlborough at the top of the heap when it comes to keeping litter off the ground and in the bin.

But council bosses have been left scratching their heads as figures show littering in Blenheim town centre has increased - despite installing a record number of rubbish bins in the area.

SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF Marlborough has the lowest littering rate in New zealand according to latest research into the country's litter habits. (File Photo)

Marlborough District Council's solid waste manager Alec McNeil said the survey was encouraging for a community making active efforts to keep litter levels down.

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Ten sites in and around Blenheim were analysed for the survey undertaken on behalf of the Packaging Forum, which held a similar audit in 2015.

SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF An increase in litter in Blenheim's central business district has Marlborough District Council's solid waste manager Alec McNeil puzzled. (File photo)

McNeil said the amount of litter observed on the ground in Blenheim had remained the same over the past three years, with about 15 items of litter found per 1,000 square metres surveyed. The national average was 30.5 items.

Most of the litter found included drink bottles, food packaging and other items such as cigarette butts or paper.

"Whilst we have the lowest litter count in the country according to the survey results - which is a good result -it's more important how the community responds to keeping our region free from litter.

SUPPLIED More than 4000 cigarettes were found littered along Picton foreshore in a community clean-up initiative earlier this year. (File Photo).

"Litter is everybody's challenge," he said.

However, the amount of litter in the Blenheim CBD has increased from 2015, which McNeil said he was surprised by.

"There is a bin every 20 metres," he said.

Nationally there was an average of 5 per cent reduction in the of litter amounts counted compared to 2015. Marlborough was one of eight urban areas included in the survey which covered 52 per cent of New Zealand's population.

McNeil said the contribution Marlburians made to help keep the region clean needed to be recognised.

"The amount of litter along waterways has decreased, which could be because of the numbers of people who pick up rubbish while out walking each day, and the community clean-ups that take place regularly."

Marlborough District Council has started work on an education and awareness programme as part of the Marlborough Litter Project.

For further information visit marlborough.govt.nz/services/refuse/marlborough-litter-project