Pay or appeal a Fixed Penalty Notice for dropping litter or waste
If you have been issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for dropping litter or waste, find out when you need to pay it by, and how you can pay or appeal it.
If you have been issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) for dropping litter or waste, you have 14 days from the date of issue to pay the fine. If you don't pay within 28 days, the case will go to court, where you could receive a fine and a criminal record.
Pay or appeal a fixed penalty notice
- Pay online on the Kingdom website
- Phone: 080 0781 6229
How to appeal
Look at the back of your fixed penalty notice to see how to appeal. You must write your appeal within 14 days of getting your notice.
To help you write your appeal, first check if we have an answer to your reason for appealing below.
What if there were no signs telling me not to drop litter?
We are not required to place signs in every street, road, highway or open space to tell people not to litter. Littering is a criminal offence and has been for many years.
What should I do if there are no litter bins nearby
It's not possible to place litter bins in every street, road and highway. Every effort is made to place bins where they are most needed. Where bins are not available it is up to you to act responsibly and take your litter home, or carry it until a bin is available.
Where do I put my cigarette end if there is a danger that it will catch fire in a bin?
Smokers are responsible for ensuring they completely extinguish their cigarette before placing it in the bin. Most bins have stubbing plates provided. If no suitable bin is nearby, you should carry the cigarette end with you until you find a suitable bin.
Why are small items of litter treated the same way as dropping larger items of litter?
By law, litter includes small items like cigarette butts and chewing gum. In many ways these are more of a nuisance and more expensive to clean up than other items of rubbish.
Why does a little bit of litter matter?
Littering is not only a serious blight on our environment but very costly to the council as well.
Why wasn't I given a warning first?
Littering is an offence. We can take enforcement action where the offence is committed and do not have to give people a warning.
I offered to pick the litter up. Why was I still issued a FPN?
The offence relates to the dropping, throwing or depositing of litter and leaving it. So whether or not you volunteered to pick up your litter after, you have committed an offence and will be issued with a FPN.
Are your enforcement officers given bonuses for the number of FPNs issued?
All of our enforcement officers will issue FPNs where there is evidence that an offence has been committed. Enforcement officers are paid a salary that is not determined by the number of FPNs issued. The aim of this enforcement activity is to stop people from littering, not to make money.
What happens if I receive a second FPN within 12 months of receiving the first?
If the same person commits the same offence more than once in any 12 month period, we might prosecute them rather than giving them another FPN.