Litter and litter bins
Litter in a public place is unsightly, dangerous to animals, and an offence. The average fine for littering is around £95, but can be up to £2,500. The council is responsible for the sweeping of streets and removal of litter from public areas.
What is litter?
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 states that litter is ‘anything that is dropped, thrown, left or deposited that causes defacement in a public place.’ Or, more generally is waste improperly discarded in the wrong place. Often it comprises of materials associated with smoking, eating and drinking and may also include putrescible wastes such as dog faeces.
Littering is an offence
Powers and duties relating to litter are provided under the Environmental Protection Act and leaving litter in a public place and causing defacement is a criminal offence. The police can prosecute people who leave litter, as can local authority officers/wardens who can give an on-the-spot £50 fixed penalty notice for littering. Average fines for court cases are around £95 but can rise to a maximum of £2,500.
Litter ranges in size from a single sweet wrapper, to a bag full of rubbish. There are hundreds of litter bins in the borough. Each bin is programmed to be emptied depending on its usage. Some bins are specifically for bagged dog waste. So either use a litter bin or take it home.
To report a problem with a litter bin or to request a litter bin to be emptied, please fill in our online Litter Bin report form, or else click here for alternative contact details.
Enforcement and education
To combat littering, the council has litter bins throughout the borough. Educational activities also encourage responsible behaviour.
Additionally, the council’s Community and Environment Officers have the powers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to people seen littering.
• The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (s87) makes it an offence to throw down, drop, deposit or leave litter on any land open to air or water without the consent of the owner.
• The Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act (CNEA) 2005 simplifies this, extending the scope of the offence to include all open spaces, waterways and beaches (public and private). It also classifies chewing gum and cigarette ends as litter.
• The council can also issue street litter control notices to street vendors and takeaway premises to keep the area immediately around them tidy.