New figures have revealed that only half the number of people caught dropping litter on city streets have paid their fines over the past seven years.
The city council has issued 2,900 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to people throwing rubbish on the ground since 2012.
But yesterday it emerged that only 49% of litter bugs have handed over the cash required for the fine.
The number of people caught irresponsibly disposing of their rubbish has dropped considerably over the years.
A total of 891 people were reprimanded in 2012/13 compared to 38 over the past financial year.
Politicians have now called for more work to be done to recover the costs and crack down on litter problems.
Kevin Stewart MSP for Aberdeen Central said: “It’s not acceptable that these fines are going unpaid, and the council needs to explain why so much money is being lost in this way.
“Littering is a blight on city centres, and just recently I contacted the chief executive of the city council because the authority’s construction work on Broad Street was littered with bottles, cans and other rubbish.
“Complacency on this problem only makes it worse, and it’s clear the local authority could be doing a lot more to ensure people respect the need to keep our streets clean.”
In Aberdeen the council is responsible for cleaning litter from public pathways and areas.
City wardens hand out FPNs to anyone spotted dropping rubbish which comes with an £80 fine.
Councillor John Wheeler, Aberdeen City Council’s operational delivery convener, said: “City wardens continue to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for littering when they witness litter being dropped by persons, whilst they are on patrol across the city. Should a Fixed Penalty Notice remain unpaid a report is issued to the procurator fiscal.
“Raising awareness of issues such as littering, dog fouling and the environment are part of ongoing initiatives – Clean Up Aberdeen, glitterpick events, anti-dog fouling in Torry scheme – currently being undertaken by the council.”
And councillor Ross Grant described litter bugs as being “inconsiderate” to others.
He said: “Ideally no fines would be issued and I’d urge people to be sensible and respectful and dispose of litter properly.”
