Penalty for emptying coffee cup into the drain
Penalty for emptying coffee cup into the drain
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scenario8

Original Poster:

7,340 posts

197 months

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.

ScotHill

3,818 posts

127 months

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

ukbabz

1,624 posts

144 months

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

2,284 posts

160 months

Or sewage into the sea

Kawasicki

13,833 posts

253 months

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

SmoothCriminal

5,561 posts

217 months

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

3,808 posts

122 months

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

8,609 posts

98 months

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

45,209 posts

253 months

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

7,920 posts

149 months

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

8,808 posts

211 months

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

28,682 posts

280 months

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

60,986 posts

228 months

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

7,920 posts

149 months

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


My mistake.

Russet Grange

2,328 posts

44 months

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

4,699 posts

248 months

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

languagetimothy

1,482 posts

180 months

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

pavarotti1980

5,885 posts

102 months

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

Kawasicki

13,833 posts

253 months

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

10,934 posts

192 months

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