Enschede working on €1,000 fine for dumping trash on the street

Enschede wants to impose a massive fine on littering. A majority in the city council approved a proposal to fine people caught dumping their trash on the street 1,000 euros. Those who can’t pay it should get community service, the city council agreed. The national government still has to approve the plan, RTV Oost reported.

The proposal came from VVD city councilor Malkis Jajan, following Singapore’s example. “We have the ambition in Enschede to become the cleanest city in Europe. We are not there yet, because people throw all kinds of things on the street,” Jajan said. He got support from BurgerBelangen, CDA, ChristenUnie, SP, and PVV, among others.

The national government still has to approve the plan to deviate from the national fine of 160 euros for littering. Enschede will ask the government if it can do a trial with the high amount. “Litter is a problem throughout the Netherlands, so let’s see in Enschede whether a high fine works,” Jajan said.

Last year, enforcement officers in Enschede only issued 12 fines for littering. According to Jajan, that’s because littering is not a priority for the municipality. “Enforcers are now mainly busy issuing parking fines, but you can also shift the priority to tackling litter.”