Some Litter Facts
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Many people who drop litter do so because they are lazy, it is convenient to do so and they think there will be no repercussion. However, it is this casualness, which is a major contribution to litter in the community. Research has indicated that young people see litter as a major problem in their neighbourhoods. However, as a group, young people can be heavy litterers. The proliferation of litter leads to a perception of anti-social behaviour and also it also fosters a culture where other types of low-level anti-social behaviour is seen as acceptable.
Litter can be as small as a sweet wrapper, or as large as a bag of rubbish, or it can mean lots of items scattered about. Legislation also specifically clarifies that discarded gum products, cigarette ends, and matches are types of litter. Dog faeces are also classed as litter; they can cause an infection called Toxocariasis that may affect human health.
Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 makes it an offence to drop, throw, or deposit and leave litter anywhere and can incur a fine of up to £2500.
Under Section 89 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 local authorities have a legal duty (as far as is practicable) to clear litter from public places.
Authorised officers of litter authorities have the power, under the Police Reform Act 2002, to issue fixed penalty notices to tackle litter.
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This is how long some litter items take to decompose naturally:-
Cigarette butts: Up to 2 years
Orange peel/banana skin: Up to 2 years
Plastic bags: 10 - 20 years
Tin cans: 50 years
Aluminium cans: 80 - 100 years
Plastic bottles: indefinitely |
Some Litter Facts
