A London resident has been fined £150 ($200) for pouring leftover coffee into a drain grate on the road.
Burju Yesilliurt, who lives in the Kew area, said she poured the leftover coffee from her reusable cup down the drain to avoid spilling the drink on the bus she was about to take to work. According to the woman, she thought such an action was responsible.
But to her surprise, she was stopped by three enforcement officers at a bus stop near Richmond station and fined under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Richmond upon Thames District Council said its officers “acted professionally and objectively” and the fine was issued in accordance with the applicable legislation.
“I noticed my bus was approaching so I just poured the remains out. There was very little to contaminate the land or water, including pouring liquids into street showers.
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Yesilliurt was fined £150, but if paid within 14 days, the fine will be £100.
The woman said the interaction with inspectors frightened her and afterwards she continued to shake when she got to work.
Richmond Council’s speaker said they had reviewed footage from cameras attached to the inspectors’ uniforms and “disagreed that the inspectors behaved in an aggressive manner”.
“The footage confirms that the inspectors acted professionally and sensitively under the circumstances,” she added to the board.
When Yesilliurt asked inspectors what she should do with the leftover coffee, she was told she should pour it into the nearest rubbish bin.
She noted that she tried to act responsibly and avoid.