There are some countries in the world in which it is very expensive to litter. If caught, your pocket will be significantly lighter and you could even end up doing community service or time in jail. You could be fined for spitting on the street, throwing a lit cigarette butt from a moving vehicle, and not picking up your dog's mess. In many of these areas, the law works because they are strictly enforced and ignorance of the law is not considered an excuse.

Here are some of the more notable cases:

public place

In some parts of England, you can be charged £300 for throwing drinks can or bottles in a public place. You may also be issued with what is called a Corrective Work Order (CWO) which forces offenders to wear bright orange worksuits whilst they spend time picking up litter from public places. The idea is to shame them into not repeating the offence. In California, littering or throwing a lit cigarette butt from a moving vehicle can cost you as much as $1,000. A first offence is likely to cost about $100. In Singapore, throwing a bus ticket, sweet wrapper or chewing gum on the streets can result in a $1,000 fine. You will also be required to clean up the litter, and sometimes the media may be invited to cover the event.

In some countries, there are also strict rules for how you handle your dog's poop. If you go walking with your favourite dog, you would be wise to carry a doggie poop bag and scoop up any mess your dog makes. If you do not remove the mess, the result can be a hefty fine. In England, If your dog messes in a public space, including a park or the sidewalk, you could be fined £50 on the spot. If you refuse to pay this fine, you can be taken to court where the fine can be increased to £1,000.

Some persons may say these laws are excessive. It is useful to note, however, that places such as Singapore and California are among the cleanest worldwide because of the strict enforcement of these litter laws. It does make you think twice about what you do with that 'sweetie' paper in your hand. So what do you say, do you still want to drop it? Think twice, if you are in Singapore.

Ann Marie Rodriques

PeaceWater Services

Send comments or questions to peacewaterservices@yahoo.com