In a perplexing turn of events, a couple in Stoke-on-Trent, UK, found themselves facing hefty fines totaling £1,200 (approximately ₹1,30,079) after they took initiative to clean up litter from their neighborhood, as reported by BBC.
Veronika Mike and her boyfriend Zoltan Pinter decided to tackle the persistent litter problem plaguing their street on April 29. Filling a cardboard box with food scraps and discarded packaging, they placed it next to the bins, hoping the council would dispose of it. However, instead of appreciation, they received fines from the local council just days later on May 8.
The council’s letter accused them of failing in their “legal duty to transfer controlled waste to an authorised person,” despite their efforts to ensure the rubbish was properly managed. Mr. Pinter promptly paid his fine, while Ms. Mike is managing hers through monthly instalments of £100.
“We just wanted to clean our street and that’s the thanks we get from the council. At first, I was very angry and I cried,” Ms. Mike expressed, feeling disheartened by the council’s response. She highlighted their long-standing efforts to maintain cleanliness in their area, emphasizing the challenges posed by consistent littering near their home.
In response to the fines, the couple has launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe to cover the imposed penalties. The initiative has garnered significant support, with contributions exceeding £2,000. City councillor Amjid Wazir has indicated that the matter is considered resolved, though the incident has sparked debate regarding the council’s approach to community efforts in waste management.
The ordeal has left Ms. Mike and Mr. Pinter disillusioned, vowing never to undertake such community cleaning efforts again, despite their commitment to improving their neighborhood’s cleanliness.
Sources By Agencies
