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Litter & Dog Fouling

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What is litter?

Litter is any discarded item which causes defacement of an area. It includes cigarette butts, chewing gum, sweet papers, drink cans and bottles, and dog mess.

It is an offence to drop litter on any land to which the public has access. Anyone caught committing an offence will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.  Officers employed by Braintree District Council, a number of Parish Council officers and officers of the Environment Agency have been authorised by the council to issue Fixed Penalty Notices.

Fixed Penalty Notices

A person who receives a Fixed Penalty Notice can avoid Court action by paying the fine to the Council within fourteen days. If the fine is not paid, or is paid late, then action in a Magistrates Court will follow.

The Law can apply to people throwing litter from moving cars.  The Council has the power to issue fines to people who throw litter from moving cars.  Car owners are traced via their car registration numbers.

It an offence for dog owners or those in charge of dogs not to clean up after their dog has fouled on all land and open spaces to which the public has access including roads, pavements, school playing fields, footpaths, parks and other areas.

The absence of litter bins and/or dog-waste bins is not a reasonable defence against the offence of littering.

In the case where a child drops litter or doesn't clear up after a dog, the action taken by the Council will depend on his/her age:

Minors under the age of 16 cannot be served with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

>  Between the ages of 16 and 17, when an offence is witnessed, a Fixed Penalty Notice can only be served in the presence of a parent or guardian.

To report a litter or dog fouling problem on-line please click on the See it-report it link.

 

Litter Bins and Dog-waste bins

Q:  Can I have another litter bin in my street? 
A:  The Council has criteria for deciding whether additional or new bins are provided. This is based on the following:

Whether the demand is high.

Whether there is an on-going problem with litter or dog fouling and where a bin may help to resolve this.

The number of bins already located in the vicinity.

Whether there is a suitable location without causing any obstruction.

Whether there is a risk of vandalism.

Q:  How long does it take before a decision is made?  A:  Requests for additional or new litter bins are referred to a Street Scene officer, who normally arranges to visit the location and assess the requirements and the extent of the problem, before making a decision. This is usually within two weeks from the date of the request being received In some cases litter bins are not provided where it is considered this would actually contribute to creating litter rather than reducing it.

The Council actively encourages Members of the Public to empty litter bins. (See Adopt a Bin)

Litter Bins in Rural Parishes
Litter Bins in Parishes are often provided by the Parish Council. Initial requests should be to them. The Parish Council will then liaise directly with the District Council in respect of the actual requirements.

Who do I contact?
Requests can be made by calling our Customer Services Centre on 01376 552525.Alternatively you can e-mail to: - csc@braintree.gov.uk

What do I do if I see a litter bin that has been damaged or vandalised?
Call our Customer Services Centre on 01376-552525, who will take the details and pass it on to the Street Scene Section.

How long will it take before the litter bin is replaced?Litter bins are usually held in stock. Generally it takes up to two weeks from the date of report to replace the bin. Occasionally we run out of stock due to high demand. In these instances it can take up to three weeks before a new supply is delivered and up to one month to replace the bin.

In very exceptional circumstances if a litter bin is constantly being damaged or vandalised it may be removed and not replaced.

For more information contact the Customer Services Centre on 01376 552525.

Alternatively e-mail to: - csc@braintree.gov.uk

What is the frequency litter and dog bins are emptied and how do I report a full/overflowing bin?
Litter bins in Town Centres are emptied 7 days a week including some bank holidays excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and News Year Day.

All other litter bins are emptied according to how frequently they are used by the Public. This varies across the District. In general terms all bins are emptied at least once a week.

In most of the rural areas the Parish Council's are responsible for emptying the litter bins. with dog bins being emptied by the District Council.

If you would like to know how frequently the bins in your street are emptied or you want to report a bin that is full/overflowing call the our Customer Services Centre on 01376 552525, who will take the details and pass it on to the Street Cleansing Section.

Alternatively you can email to: - csc@braintree.gov.uk

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Adopt A Litter Bin Scheme

Residential AreasResidents in the District are actively being encouraged to take pride in their areas by adopting a litter bin. The idea behind the scheme is to help make our District a better place to live in.

If you have a problem with a litter or would like a litter bin outside your house, the Council may supply one (subject to reviewing the circumstances) as well as a supply of black bin sacks to insert into the bin. In return all you need to do is to empty the bin when it is full and put the black sack out for collection with your own household waste.

Industrial Areas
Companies throughout the District are actively being encouraged to take pride in the areas around their premises by helping to keep them looking clean and tidy. Why not adopt a litter bin? The idea behind the scheme is to help make our District a better place to live and work.

If you have a problem with a litter or would like a litter bin near your premises, the Council may supply one (subject to reviewing the circumstances) as well as a supply of black bin sacks to insert into the bin. In return all you need to do is to empty the bin when it is full and put the black sack out for collection with your own waste.

Alternatively a number of Companies have agreed to sponsor and empty a bin in return for advertising your Company on the side of it.

For more information on the above please contact:

Paul Partridge, Environmental Services Manager, Telephone No 01376 332353 or e-mail - paul.partridge@braintree.gov.uk

 

Useful Links *
More Information *
For further information, please contact BDC Customer Service Centre at csc@braintree.gov.uk
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