BRITS have been issued a major warning over household bins with millions at risk of being fined.
Guidance has been issued via the official GOV.UK website that warns homeowners of potential notices.
GettyHouseholders have been warned to pay close attention to rules around waste in the home[/caption]
AlamyThe council could issue fines of £80 for a number of reasons[/caption]
Kenny RamsayHowever, the government insisted that this should not apply to minor breaches or honest mistakes[/caption]
Households in England are being urged to pay close attention to the ways they deal with waste in the home.
If you follow the wrong procedures, you could get a notice and even a fine of £80.
Although the UK government has called on local councils to take a “measured and balanced approach”.
According to the site, it says that householders should not be penalised for “minor breaches of waste bin rules”.
Instead, the government advises that penalties should focus on homeowners that ’cause genuine harm to the local environment’.
It says that it is “good practice to try to inform the household about any issues” when it comes to the presentation of their bins.
Letters and information notices should be issued before moving to the process of issuing fines and penalty notices.
However, councils may issue fines if homeowners do not follow the local waste collection rules.
You could be fined if your bins cause or are likely to cause a nuisance to those around you and the rubbish workers.
Fines could also be issued if your waste has a negative effect on local amenities or is likely to be detrimental.
However, councils must follow these rules when issuing fixed penalties under section 46A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Fine examples
The government has given a number of examples where fixed penalties can be issued.
If householders put waste out and it becomes an obstruction to neighbours, they could be fined for doing so.
This would be in the case where wheelchair and buggy users are forced to walk on the road.
If rubbish causes restrictions to the pavement or the street, then you could possibly be fined.
How to avoid waste bin fines
According to the UK government’s website, councils can issue fixed penalties if householders put waste out in the following ways.
The waste causes an obstruction to neighbours, such as forcing people using wheelchairs or buggies to walk on the road.
If waste restricts access to the pavement or street, for example leaving waste receptacles (bins or bags) out for several days.
If rubbish is likely to attract vermin like foxes and rats, such as leaving bags or open receptacles out days before waste collection.
If the bins are unsightly – which includes torn bags or overturned receptacles which are left out.
The government uses the example of leaving bins and bags out for several days.
You should always make sure that bin bags are not left open before a waste collection, especially in the days leading up.
Because you could be fined if your waste is likely to attract vermin, like foxes and rats.
You could also be fined if the presentation looks “unsightly” which includes torn bags and overturned receptacles.
The same rules apply around London, however councils can issue penalty charge notices instead of fixed penalties.
GettyThere are some instances where councils cannot issue fines[/caption]
AlamyIf lids are accidentally left open or the bins are left hout a few hours before collection, fines should not be issued[/caption]
What councils can’t do
According to the same website, fines cannot be issued for several minor problems.
If a piece of waste is put in the wrong receptacle by mistake, a penalty should not be issued.
If owners simply forget to close the lid of their bins or if they are left out for a few hours before collection, notices and fines should not be issued.
In order for the local council to issue a fine, it must follow three procedures.
It must give the household written warning of how they have broken the rules.
A notice of intent should name the householder and explain that they may get a fixed penalty and how much they will have to pay.
But the householder has the right to appeal and explain why they should not pay the penalty within 28 days.
After that period, councils may then issue a final notice to the householder which will explain what will happen if they do not pay.
However, councils must consider any response or appeal before they do this.
AlamyThe government has said that councils can issue fines if the waste is ‘unsightly’[/caption]
AlamyYou could be fined if the bins are an obstruction for wheelchair and buggy users[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
