Throwing trash out of a car window in Germany: a serious environmental offense—video-documented and strictly fined
In a country known for precision and strong environmental discipline, tossing even small items out of a car window—such as a drink can or a cigarette—is not seen as a harmless act. It is treated as a real environmental offense (Umweltverstoß) and can be punished strictly, especially as smart monitoring systems become more widely used in cities and on motorways.
What counts as “littering” from a vehicle?
Under the Circular Economy Act (Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz) and the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), throwing any material from a vehicle can be considered an offense, including:
metal or plastic cans
food leftovers
cigarette butts
paper tissues
glass or paper packaging
bags or organic waste
Legally, it makes no difference whether it happens on a main road, in rural areas, or in a city—these cases are generally treated the same.
The role of cameras and evidence
From 2023, some German cities (such as Hamburg and Stuttgart) began using environmental surveillance cameras (Umweltkameras), linked in some cases to license plate recognition (Kennzeichenerkennung), to document such violations automatically.
Footage from other drivers’ dashcams or even pedestrians’ phone recordings may also be accepted as evidence if it is clear and shows the plate number and, in some cases, the driver’s identity.
What penalties apply?
Depending on the type of waste and location, penalties can include:
| Violation | Fine (approx.) | Flensburg points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throwing cigarette butts or a plastic can | €20–€60 | No | if no direct danger is caused |
| Throwing glass or a can on a motorway | up to €150 | Yes (1 point) | due to accident risk |
| Throwing large waste or a garbage bag | €200–€300 | up to 2 points | clear environmental offense |
| Repeat offenses or denying it to police | + higher fines | possible | may trigger stricter measures |
In some cases, the driver may also be charged cleanup costs by the local authority (Ordnungsamt), sent by mail.
Can you object if you were filmed?
Yes, but objections typically succeed only if:
the driver’s identity is not clear in the video,
the video does not clearly show the act of throwing,
the recording violates privacy (e.g., filming children or the inside of the car).
That said, German courts in recent years have tended to accept dashcam/monitoring footage as long as it focuses on the incident and does not unnecessarily violate personal data.
The ethical and environmental dimension
Germany invests billions of euros every year in keeping public roads and streets clean. A recent report by the German environment ministry stated that more than 100,000 tons of waste are collected annually from streets alone—around half of it linked to irresponsible behavior such as littering from vehicles.
Conclusion
Throwing trash out of a car window in Germany is not a “small mistake”—it is a documentable environmental violation, legally and ethically. With cameras, witnesses, and technology, this behavior is increasingly unlikely to go unnoticed.
ـ* The writers and editors aim to provide accurate information through extensive research; however, errors or unconfirmed details may occur. Please treat this as initial guidance and consult the competent authorities for confirmed information.
