Littering York with Cigarette Butts Could Cost You a Packet!

City of York Council has taken action against three individuals who dropped cigarette butts in York and failed to pick them up.

They say the individuals received summonses to appear at York Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 18 October for litter offences.

City of York Council add that each person was offered the opportunity to deal with the offences by way of payment of a fixed penalty (£75 or £50 if paid within 10 days). Adding that all chose not to accept the fixed penalty and so were prosecuted for litter offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

As a result the council say the Magistrates imposed fines ranging from £65 to £200 with costs payable to City of York Council ranging from £85 to £337.

Cllr David Levene, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said “There is no excuse for anyone to drop litter. It damages the environment, attracts more litter and costs the authority and other landowners millions of pounds to clear up each year.”

Liz Levett, head of Environmental Enforcement at City of York Council said, “ I know that York's residents, businesses and visitors want to live, work and visit our beautiful city and see it clean and tidy and be proud of York.

“ We hold numerous litter awareness events each year and work with businesses and other organisations to get the message home including supplying portable mini bins for people to use. Some people just think it is acceptable to drop litter for the rest of us to clear up. There is no excuse for disposing of litter incorrectly and I would like to thank all those who do care for our city and take their litter home or keep it until they can dispose of it correctly.”