A Kew resident faces a £150 ($200) penalty after emptying coffee into a road drain near Richmond station, sparking debate over enforcement and fairness.
A woman in west London has been fined £150 ($200) after pouring leftover coffee down a road drain, an incident that has triggered public debate over how environmental laws are enforced.
Burcu Yesilyurt, a resident of Kew, said she was “shocked” when three enforcement officers stopped her at a bus stop near Richmond station earlier this month. She said she had emptied a small amount of coffee from her reusable cup before boarding her morning bus to work.
“I noticed my bus was approaching, so I just poured the leftover bit — it wasn’t much,” Ms. Yesilyurt told reporters. “As soon as I turned around, I noticed three men chasing me. They stopped me immediately. I thought they were going to talk about the bus, not a fine.”
Officers fined her under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which prohibits the disposal of waste in ways that could pollute land or water — including pouring liquids into street drains.
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Richmond-upon-Thames Council defended the action, saying its officers “acted professionally and objectively” and that the fine was issued in line with local policy. Reviewing body-worn camera footage, the council said it found “no evidence” of aggressive behavior by the officers.
“The footage confirms the officers acted professionally and were sensitive to the circumstances,” a council spokesperson said. “We are committed to protecting Richmond’s waterways and keeping our borough clean.”
Ms. Yesilyurt said she felt “intimidated” by the encounter and questioned why there were no visible warnings about the law. She added that she believed she was acting responsibly by avoiding littering or spilling coffee on public transport.
“When I asked what I should have done, they told me to pour it into a nearby bin,” she said. “It feels unfair. I think the fine is extreme and not proportionate.”
The £150 ($200) fine can be reduced to £100 ($134) if paid within 14 days. Ms Yesilyurt has filed a formal complaint with the council and called for clearer public guidance, such as signs near bins or bus stops.
The council said residents who believe a fine was wrongly issued can request a review but stressed that enforcement “is only taken when necessary.”
