'Illegal Waste Disposal': UK Couple Fined Rs 1 Lakh for Cleaning Up Their Locality

England: A couple from the United Kingdom, Veronika Mike and Zoltan Pinter, have been fined £1,200 (approximately Rs 1.3 lakh) for cleaning up their garbage-strewn street. The neighbourhood cleanup, intended to address the waste attracting rodents and cats, has instead led to a penalty for "illegal waste disposal."

The couple, residents of Stoke-on-Trent, noticed their street had become a dumping ground due to people leaving trash outside the bins. Taking matters into their own hands, they decided to clean up the area. However, instead of receiving appreciation, they were served with a fixed penalty notice from the local authorities. Both Veronika and Zoltan were listed as offenders, despite only Zoltan’s name being on the cardboard box used to collect the rubbish.

Authorities claimed their act of cleaning was a violation of waste disposal regulations, a charge that left the couple appalled. Despite sending a letter signed by their neighbours to the council, appealing the decision and clarifying their intentions, the fine was upheld. The couple is now paying off the fine in monthly instalments.

Zoltan, a mechanic and freelance videographer, and Veronika have resorted to setting up a GoFundMe account to help cover the financial burden of the fine. Veronika expressed her anger and frustration, stating, "We only wanted to clean our street. Penalizing us for this is unfair."

Following the incident, Councilor Amjid Wazir OBE asserted that fly-tipping, the illegal disposal of waste, is a serious offence, and deemed the matter closed. Disheartened by the outcome, the couple have vowed never to clean the streets again, regardless of the accumulation of garbage and rodents.