{"id":10265,"date":"2023-06-19T11:13:16","date_gmt":"2023-06-19T11:13:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/?page_id=10265"},"modified":"2023-09-13T10:03:21","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T10:03:21","slug":"dropping-litter","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/legal\/community\/littering\/dropping-litter\/","title":{"rendered":"Litter Dropping Law | Depositing Litter Offence or Fine"},"content":{"rendered":"

OFFENCE OF DROPPING LITTER<\/strong>: A litterer is someone who drops or leaves junk objects on the ground in public places.<\/p>\n

It also applies to isolated locations such as open private land or national forests.<\/p>\n

The dumped refuse is often man-made debris or waste odds and ends. Examples include cigarette butts, paper or cardboard boxes, tin or aluminium cans, and glass or plastic bottles.<\/p>\n

The offence of dropping litter also includes cumbersome and hazardous waste<\/a> products. Dangerous types of waste items are electrical appliances, electronics, car tyres, and batteries.<\/p>\n

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Dropping Litter Criminal Offence<\/h2>\n

The UK litter dropping law<\/strong> aims to prosecute and fine those who knowingly deposit trash improperly. They do so, instead of disposing the rubbish in an appropriate manner.<\/p>\n

The dropping of litter is a disgraceful blot on the nation’s landscape. But, littering also causes a problem for local residents and the authorities. This is the main reason why the United Kingdom has litter dropping laws and legislation to deal with the offenders.<\/p>\n

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Environmental Protection Act 1990<\/h5>\n

Section 87 of this litter dropping law makes it an offence to throw down, drop or otherwise deposit, and leave litter in any place in the open air.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005<\/h5>\n

Section 27 of this litter dropping law amends the offence to include within the definition of litter the discarded ends of cigarettes, cigars and the discarded remains of other products designed for chewing.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Most Littered Item in the World<\/h5>\n

The most littered item around the world is cigarette butts. Experts estimate that 5 trillion cigarette butts will be discarded every year. In fact, it takes from five (5) to 400 years for cigarette ends to break down into complete degradation.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Litter Dropping Sanctions<\/h2>\n

You will be guilty of a criminal offence if you get caught dropping litter commensurate with Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act. As a result you could be liable for a maximum fine of \u00a32,500.<\/p>\n

The usual procedure leading to prosecution for littering is generally less severe. As a rule, you are more likely to receive a fixed penalty notice instead. This is mostly due to the cost of prosecuting offenders and the time consuming nature in doing so.<\/p>\n

Fixed Penalty Notices<\/h5>\n

Local authorities also have the power to issue offending litterers with a fixed penalty notice for dropping litter. The amendment to the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (section 88) allows this action.<\/p>\n

Your local authority is fully authorised to specify a penalty between \u00a360 and \u00a3150. But, the Clean Neighbourhoods Act specifies a default fixed penalty of \u00a3100<\/strong> for this litter dropping offence.<\/p>\n

No criminal proceedings get taken if you pay the notice. But, a criminal conviction may be brought against you if you refuse to pay the fine.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Responsibility for Cleaning Litter<\/h2>\n

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Public Land<\/h4>\n

Local authorities have a legal duty to clear litter and refuse on certain areas of public land. As a general rule they have a responsibility to clear trash or garbage from;<\/p>\n