Penalty for emptying coffee cup into the drain

[scenario8]

Would you pour the remnants of a coffee cup into a drain? I must confess in circumstances similar to those described in this bbc article I very possibly would. Anyway, this resident did and it cost her a fine that would make me smart.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg435gg66gpo

Protecting waterways may well be laudable but I wonder how few people would be aware of the consequences for such actions? I can well imagine thinking pouring the remnants of a coffee cup into the drain was a “better” thing than pouring those contents into a bin!

I’ve seen enforcement officers wandering around in a few boroughs and have wondered to myself quite who and what they are, what their purpose is and what, if any, powers they might have. In my locale they’re dressed in quasi para military outfits and look like the sorts of chaps previously employed as bouncers. I can imagine the encounter being quite intimidating.

Consider me educated.

[anonymous-user]

How is that any different to pouring coffee into the drains via my kitchen sink? Asking for the rest of the population.

[ukbabz]

ScotHill said:

How is that any different to pouring coffee into the drains via my kitchen sink? Asking for the rest of the population.

Street drains aren't sewers, which I'd bet is where your kitchen sink goes to

[menousername]

Or sewage into the sea

[Kawasicki]

£100? Truly barmy. Would a simple instruction/educational chat not be more appropriate?

[SmoothCriminal]

Do you even have to give these types your details?

I'm all for them enforcing scumbags who litter like it's the third world but tipping a bit of coffee down the drain is a bit much.

Always the little man, where's the fines everyday for the water companies putting literal st in our waterways.

[wyson]

But it’s coffee? I’d get it if it were engine oil, bleach or something really polluting. The article doesn’t talk about the dangers of coffee on wildlife or whatever if its just washed into a nearby river.

[Scabutz]

SmoothCriminal said:

Do you even have to give these types your details?

I'm all for them enforcing scumbags who litter like it's the third world but tipping a bit of coffee down the drain is a bit much.

Always the little man, where's the fines everyday for the water companies putting literal st in our waterways.

No you don't. There is a guy on tik tok at war with them in his local town and when he sees them harassing people he runs over and tells them not to give details etc.

I would politely tell them I'm sorry, but Im not giving you my details no and you can't detain me so good day.

[JagLover]

I have poured coffee into drains before and it would have never even occurred to me it could be an offence.

Sounds like petty tyrants going after the soft targets to me. If it had been some yoof chucking his takeaway packaging onto the floor they probably wouldn't dare do anything.

[Ridgemont]

I particularly enjoy the fact the local council (Richmond-upon-Thames) can afford no less than 3, yes 3, enforcement officers to patrol unnecessary water pollution via a street drain at a specific location. I have visions of dozens of the fkers patrolling Richmond for drainage violations.

Excellent value for money.

[Bluevanman]

wyson said:

But it s coffee? I d get it if it were engine oil, bleach or something really polluting. The article doesn t talk about the dangers of coffee on wildlife or whatever if its just washed into a nearby river.

I'd imagine that's what the rule was brought in for, pouring used engine oil down the drain was quite normal in the day before we all got educated....coffee is obviously a toxic substance we weren't aware of ....the phrase we're looking for here is clown world

[miniman]

Ridgemont said:

I particularly enjoy the fact the local council (Richmond-upon-Thames) can afford no less than 3, yes 3, enforcement officers to patrol unnecessary water pollution via a street drain at a specific location. I have visions of dozens of the fkers patrolling Richmond for drainage violations.

Excellent value for money.

Precisely. What an absolute nonsense that taxpayers are funding this sort of ste.

[butchstewie]

menousername said:

Or sewage into the sea

And that's the point that I think will resonate with most people.

You have companies literally pumping human excrement into rivers and waterways where they shouldn't and then you have a lady fined £150 for tipping some coffee down a drain.

Crazytown.

[Ridgemont]

Oh wait. It’s managed by the lib dims.


My mistake.

[Russet Grange]

These "officers" should be legally obliged to tell anyone they encounter that they are nothing more than ordinary citizens, that have no power to detain or arrest, and that the person is under no obligation whatesoever to give them any personal details.

A police officer has to read someone their rights, why not these Council employees?

[Hereward]

Oh golly, I had better stop composting my coffee grounds. I would turn myself in immediately but my nearest police station has closed.

[languagetimothy]

We also recently had a woman being fined for putting an envelope in a street bin “because it’s not for household waste”

[pavarotti1980]

Interested to know how the council classify coffee as "controlled waste" for the purposes of this legislation.

[Kawasicki]

JagLover said:

I have poured coffee into drains before and it would have never even occurred to me it could be an offence.

Sounds like petty tyrants going after the soft targets to me. If it had been some yoof chucking his takeaway packaging onto the floor they probably wouldn't dare do anything.

Way to go, admitting to an offence. Be careful what you say. They’ll find you.

[steveo3002]

Scabutz said:

No you don't. There is a guy on tik tok at war with them in his local town and when he sees them harassing people he runs over and tells them not to give details etc.

I would politely tell them I'm sorry, but Im not giving you my details no and you can't detain me so good day.

yep refuse and walk away , jump in a taxi if they follow you