the problems
litter in the environment causes real problems and wildlife can suffer
What is the cost?
Local Authorities across the country spend a total of around £500 million a year clearing up litter on trunk roads!
It is your tax money paying to clean up the litter dropped.
More than a quarter of motorists have had their windscreens hit by litter thrown from other vehicles. 3% of motorists have had an accident as a result of litter thrown from another car. Drivers are the worst litter droppers as they don’t think they can be connected to the crime. However, vehicle registration details are recorded and owners are traced through the DVLA.
Read about the hidden dangers for wildlife.
News item: Plastic and dead albatross chicks in the Pacific Ocean
Is it getting worse?
The amount of litter dropped yearly in the UK has increased by 500% since the 1960s.
Fast food litter has increased by 50% in the last three years.
Litter makes an area look dirty and uncared for and attracts more litter. Littered areas are not pleasant to be in and are less likely to be used by people. Source: CPRE - Campaigns
Is dropping litter an offence?
Dropping rubbish is a criminal offence under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The offence is defined as a person that drops, throws, deposits or leaves anything in a place commits a "littering" offence.
Anyone aged 14 years and above who drops litter in a public place can be fined.
Cornwall County Council wants to encourage local people not to 
drop litter and instead help keep the environment clean.
Source Clean Cornwall - Facts and Figures
Is dog mess litter?
The different types of litter include: cigarettes, food and associated wrappers, chewing gum, drugs-related litter, and any item (big or small) dropped by a person.
Dog faeces are classed as 'refuse', not litter and are subject to different laws.
However, we recognise that this is a real problem to many people who might actually see it as litter.
Source:Clean Cornwall - Facts and Figures
Reporting a problem
To report a problem contact Cornwall Council.
- On their website: click this to report via their
website 
By telephone: 0300 1234 100