Law paves way for litter fines

(JB) Litter bugs could be fined under schemes to outlaw littering in the Grand Duchy.

Those caught in the act of dropping their litter in the street or on the country's roads could face a fine and police warning under European Law.

The news that Luxembourg may adopt this rule emerged following a parliamentary question submitted to the sustainable development ministry.

Following an anti-littering awareness campaign in July this year, deputy Andé Bauler questioned future projects aimed at ending littering.

Sustainable development minister Claude Wiseler justified the fining of offenders, referring to article 36 of the European Directive which calls on member states to take all steps necessary in order to bring an end to uncontrolled littering.

The directive has been made law in Luxembourg and, under article 48, allows for a judicial deterrent to be introduced in order to curb the rise of littering.

Mr Wiseler said: “The act of littering can only be punishable if an offender is caught in the act and therefore requires the presence of controlling officers on the road network.”

The minister explained that a second campaign was planned for 2012, this time incorporating more urban areas. He also outlined his hopes to work in partnership with the minister of education in order to take the campaign into schools and colleges, further extending its reach.

This year's “Keen Dreck op d'Strooss" anti-litter campaign was launched following the release of a study showing that 309 kilos of rubbish was collected per kilometre on the country's 147 kilometre motorway network last year. Among the most commonly found litter were cigarette butts, empty drink containers and fast-food packaging.