Page 10 - Litter Toolkit
P. 10
2.2
Litter and the Law
The Environmental Protection Act, introduced in
1990, made littering a crime, subject to a maximum
fine of £2,500. Local councils and any other relevant
land owners or occupiers are responsible for keeping
their streets clean and can be prosecuted for failing
to do so. The Act sets out standards of cleanliness for
public places.
Many local authorities appoint enforcement officers
who can issue fixed penalty notices from £75, to deal
with littering as it happens.
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act
2005 has broadened the offence of dropping litter to
include locations such as rivers. Chewing gum and
cigarettes have also been classed as litter.
