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Litter, it is all around us, in our parks, streets, and even our ocean.
According to https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/27/councils-england-wales-littering Most councils issue less than one fine a week to litterers, according to data obtained via freedom of information rules, with one in six issuing no fines at all across a year.
The consequences for our wildlife, the environment, and the economy have already hit the UK because of a lack-of action, and enforcement pursued against those whom deliberately choose to destroy our innocent planet. Littering is already a crime in the whole of the United Kingdom with a maximum fine (if prosecuted) of up to £2, 500, and a criminal record. However littering is most commonly dealt with with an on the spot fine of £80, without prosecution.
Simply just 'fining' people is not enough because when a fine is issued for littering the person(s) who were issued the £80 fine will potentially be more cautious in future regarding their careless disposal of litter. They may not drop litter in crowded/densely populated areas in future, however they may instead only drop litter if either they believe that no-one will report them/is around to do so, or in smaller, less populated areas/streets, and/or at night. A more ideal procedure would be either community service (litter picking), and/or imprisonment, along with the current £2, 500 fine. This would mean we will start prosecuting all of those whom endanger our wildlife, and our environment with the sanctions being community service to clear up any litter, and/or up to 2 weeks imprisonment, along with the current fine.
Our planet can not take much more of this, it is all of our duties to play our part by recycling recyclable waste, and disposing of our trash legally, and responsibly in order to protect our wildlife, environment, and our planet.
Simply fining people in itself will not protect our environment, what will help to do so however is community service, and reforming those whom currently believe that littering is acceptable because by reforming people, we are effectively making them realise the affect that their actions have on the environment, and the reasons that these rules are in place. Community service will also aid in protecting our environment because the offender will be picking up plenty of trash that could/has harmed the environment, and doing so will both hopefully change the persons habits, and possibly even views regarding littering, and help the environment stay protected, whilst also serving as a consequence, rather than earning the government revenue whilst leaving litter to only pile up whilst the government fill their pockets.
Every day in the whole of the United Kingdom an estimate of over 2 million pieces of litter are illegally disposed of into the environment, harming the environment, and killing both wild, and domestic animals. The taxpayers are forking out over £1 billion each year for litter picking.
Littering can include but is not limited to dropping anything from the smallest piece of plastic, a cigarette butt, a water bottle, or a trampoline. Litter is litter, and must not go unpunished.
There should be harsher sanctions imposed by the court for the deposition of any materials that are not biodegradable in the environment. #SaveOurPlanet #LitterbugsMustBeCharged #UK
Littering is seen as a 'minor crime' by a high majority of people, however the effects that it has on the environment are not 'minor' because the catastrophic impact litter causes when released into our environment includes trapping, or poisoning animals, killing natural aquatic life through choking and pollution, and indirectly through its impact on water quality (water contamination). Littering can pose as a fire hazard, and attracts pests, and rodents.
Those whom VOLUNTARILY choose to go litter picking (especially during this difficult time) are heroic, selfless, and incredibly caring because people who pick litter are doing so voluntarily, picking up others rubbish because they care about their community, and the environment, putting themselves at risk for becoming ill with viruses/bacteria. I thank each, and every one of you whom care about our environment, and who chooses to dispose of their rubbish responsibly, especially those go litter-picking.
Dwayne Hards
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