More about litter
Litter and the law
Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990 states that if a person drops, throws, deposits or leaves anything to cause defacement in a public place, they could be committing a littering offence. Remember, cigarette butts and discarded chewing gum are also classed as litter.
Fines
Depositing litter
The fine for the offence of depositing litter is £400 (a reduction for early payment applies - if paid within 10 days, the fine is reduced to £200) (S88(1) Environmental Protection Act 1990). Please report dropped litter
Littering from vehicles is also an offence: report dropped litter from a vehicle
We have jurisdiction to issue fines for dropping litter on private land which is publicly accessible. For example, supermarket car parks and fast food restaurant car parks.
Keeping the borough litter-free
The entire borough is 'zoned' according to how much use an area gets. Each of these zones has a timescale within which we have to return it to a litter-free standard.
The legislation is complex and the easiest way to understand it is to refer to the booklet 'Litter and the Law - a guide for the public'. Copies of this booklet are available from the council or from Keep Britain Tidy (keepbritaintidy.org)
The council aims to provide sufficient and suitable litter bins throughout the borough and ensure that they are maintained and emptied regularly.
Last updated: 28/10/2024 15:40
