Italy sets steep fines for littering, throwing rubbish from vehicles

Italy is introducing severe penalties for anyone disposing of rubbish illegally from a vehicle, with the fines applying to locals and visitors alike.

Under a regulation coming into force on Saturday, drivers may face fines of up to €18,000 ($21,000) for throwing a bag of rubbish out of their car window onto the street or roadside.

The fines apply whether the car is stationary or moving.

For smaller items such as tissues, plastic bottles or cigarette butts, you can face potential fines of up to €1,188.

If drivers dispose of their rubbish in a nature reserve or other protected area, they can also lose their licence or be sentenced to prison.

Furthermore, offenders will no longer need to be caught in the act by police, as it will be enough if the offence is recorded by one of the many surveillance cameras present across Italy.

Rubbish on many roads

In Italy, rubbish is often simply dumped on streets, both in urban areas and on country roads and motorways.

In some places, including popular tourist areas, streets resemble rubbish dumps.