Litter

Help tackle litter in your local area and keep County Durham clean. Always place your litter in a bin (recycle where possible) or take it home. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same.

Report dropped litter

If you see dropped litter, please let us know where this has happened and any information about the incident, for example the type of litter, whether it's happened more than once and any other details you have. You can also upload relevant photos.

Report littering

We will investigate and take the necessary action against the person who dropped the litter. We aim to respond to all litter reports by arranging for it to be cleaned up and / or arranging for an officer to patrol the areas in an effort to catch the offenders.

If you're caught dropping litter

If you are caught dropping litter, you may have to pay up to £2,500 - see Pay your Fixed Penalty Notice (fine) for environmental crimes for more information.

Dropping litter (such as paper, cans, cigarette ends/packets, chewing gum and food packaging) in a public place is an offence, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Report litter dropped from a rubbish lorry

If one of our rubbish lorries drops some rubbish, let us know.

Report spilt rubbish

Request a new litter bin or report damage to one

We provide litter bins throughout the county and empty them on a regular basis. You can use litter bins for both litter and dog waste.

Request a new dog or litter bin or report damage

Stop litter

Please:

do not drop litter out of car/van windows as this can seriously affect roads, verges, the countryside and natural habitats for wildlife
take litter home with you if you cannot find a public bin
recycle where possible
encourage children, friends, family and colleagues to get rid of litter correctly to keep County Durham clean and tidy

'Tidy Ted' - education and engagement

Our anti-litter mascot, Tidy Ted, also helps us to engage with children and educate about correct litter disposal.

Litter campaigns

We also support LitterFree Durham's annual Big Spring Clean campaign, which encourages people to take part in organised litter-picks across County Durham and Darlington.