Litter and the Law
The Litter Pollution Act 1997 - 2003 brought in tougher litter laws to combat the problems of litter pollution more
effectively. The definition of litter is quite wide and extends beyond casual pieces of paper, cigarette ends to anything
large or small which is, or is likely to become, unsightly.
 
Common Litter Horrors are: Chewing Gum, Plastic Wrappers, Soft Drink Cans and Bottles, Cigarette Ends, Paper
Packaging/Newspapers, Discarded Fast Food packaging, Receipts.
 
Know your Litter Law. You are breaking the law when:
 
· YOU drop or create litter in a public place
 
· YOU present your household/commercial refuse for collection in a manner that creates litter
 
· YOU own or occupy land - in or visible from a public place - and fail to keep it free of litter
 
· YOU own or occupy land along a public road, in a speed limit area, and you fail to keep footpaths, pavements or
  grass verges along the road in front of your property free of litter. (This means the area between a shop front or
  house and the public road. It is also an offence to sweep material from the footpath onto the road.)
 
· YOU own, hire or drive a vehicle and litter is dropped from it
 
· YOU fail to clean up if your dog fouls in a public place
 
· YOU place posters/signs on poles or other structures in public places (unless you have written consent or the owner)
 
· YOU place advertising leaflets on car windscreens
 
· Disposing of your Household Waste in Litter Bins is also an offence