Littering

We operate a zero tolerance approach

Litter is an unsightly problem within our Borough and we as Neighbourhood Wardens are continuing to work towards reducing it. As well as being a visual problem, litter is also harmful to the environment and attracts vermin.

The Facts

• The amount of litter dropped yearly in the UK has increased by 500% since the 1960s.
• Litter costs the tax payer £550 million a year to clean up in the UK
• To clean the streets across the whole of East Staffordshire it costs this authority £970,000 per year.
• The rat population has boomed due to the huge amount of litter left and there are now as many rats as people in the UK.
• It takes up to 2 years for cigarette butts to degrade.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 defines "Litter as any item including CHEWING GUM and CIGARETTE ENDS thrown, dropped or deposited on any open space accessible to the Public and left".

Court Action

Littering is a criminal offence for which you can be taken to Court and if found guilty can face a fine of up to a maximum of £2,500 and a criminal conviction. However, our Neighbourhood Wardens can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice instead of taking you to Court.

Fixed Penalty Notices

Our Neighbourhood Wardens have the authority to issue on the spot £75 fixed penalty notices under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005, to anyone seen dropping litter. We operate a zero tolerance approach to offenders, in our drive to improve our Borough.

You can pay your fixed penalty notice online

Non Payment of Fixed Penalty Notice

If a person fails to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice, this authority will commence court proceedings against that individual for the offence of littering.

OUR AIM

We want residents and businesses owners alike to be proud of the area in which they live and work. We ask that litter should be disposed of correctly, using the litter bins correctly provided across the Borough for the benefit of all.