What is litter?
There is no strict definition of litter but it is generally thought to be something smaller than a bin bag which is dropped, thrown down or deposited in the open air where the public has access. Dropping litter into rivers and ponds is an offence as is throwing litter from a vehicle.
What is the law on litter?
The relevant legislation is the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 87 to 94 as amended by the Clean Neighbourhoods Act 2005. It is an offence to drop litter on any land which is open to the air and where the public have access – it is also an offence to drop litter in any lake, pond or watercourse.
A council enforcement officer or the police can issue fixed penalties for littering. These are currently set at £50 in the Bury Metropolitan Borough area. Failure to pay a fixed penalty will result in a criminal prosecution with fines up to £2500.
Go to the Litter enforcement pages for more information
Where do people litter?
The area in which activities are taking place and their environmental setting can have an impact on the way in which people behave. For example, littering at places such as the cinema or football grounds and their surrounding areas. It may be seen as acceptable and common place to litter in these areas as someone is paid to clean it up and people believe everyone does it.
In the Bury Metropolitan Borough area a number of litter hotspots have been identified. These include public gardens, shopping streets, routes to schools and colleges, ginnels and cycleways. Often litter is wind-blown into residential areas and private gardens. Also many people seem to throw their litter out of vehicles at road junctions, especially motorway slip roads.
Why do people drop litter?
In Bury we think that there really is no excuse for dropping litter, so why do some people do it? Here are a few suggestions:
- They feel no sense of ownership or pride for the Bury MBC area.
- They believe someone else will pick it up.
- Too lazy to find a bin.
- Litter has already accumulated – others do it, so why shouldn't I?
- Perception that litter is not an important environmental concern.
- For some smokers, it has become an 'accepted norm' to throw used cigarette ends on the floor.
Who drops litter?
There is no known age, gender or class of person who would be considered as more responsible for littering. Every person has the potential to drop litter. Items are dropped by the public on the streets of Bury for many reasons, including:
- An item is not thought to be litter such as cigarette butts or food scraps.
- A person is not willing to look for a bin.
- A lack of social pressure.
- People think they can get away with it due to the absence of fixed penalties or consistent enforcement.
- To rebel against society.
- Lack of knowledge of the environmental effects of littering.
- Poor packaging design.
- Because of the amount of litter already present at a particular site - people are more likely to drop litter where others have already done so.
- There aren't enough bins or they aren't in the right place.
None of these reasons will be accepted by the courts as a legitimate excuse for littering.
How much does it cost to clear litter in Bury?
It is estimated that £1.6 million is spent on keeping our streets clean. This includes street cleansing, removal of waste after individuals have fly tipped and the maintenance of the litter bins. The money that is spent on cleaning the streets to make Bury a nicer, cleaner place could be spent on other more essential schemes.
Related information and links
Go to the Environmental campaigns (ENCAMS) web site - ENCAMS runs the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign.
