Bin warning over little-known rule that could land you with a costly fine
Brits heading off on a UK break have been slapped with a caution to avoid copping a fine. Holidaymakers are being urged to read up on the rules at their rented digs or Airbnbs, as local councils could slap fines on them for a basic blunder. Leaving your bins out while you jet off could also see you penalised by the council.
Waste experts at Wheeldon Brothers warn that countless holiday-goers might unwittingly breach local council regulations by leaving their wheelie bins out too long, risking fines of up to £80 if bins linger on pavements post-collection day. A waste expert said: "It's a really easy mistake to make. But if your bin is left out for days while you're away, it can attract pests, block footpaths, and even become a nuisance for neighbours.
"In many areas, that's enough to land you with a fixed penalty under local Environmental Protection laws." Councils wield the clout under Section 46A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to fine residents who don't toe the line with "fail to follow reasonable waste collection rules", which includes not leaving bins out for an age or causing obstructions on public thoroughfares.
The specialists continued: "You might think it's harmless, but bins left out for too long can cause real issues in residential areas. If your bin is causing an obstruction or environmental concern, your local authority can and will issue fines, and being on holiday won't always be accepted as an excuse."
Leon Wright, 40, from East Twickenham, recently found himself in hot water for placing his bins out 'a few hours early' before jetting off on honeymoon with his wife Amy. He claims the rubbish was correctly bagged and placed on the pavement around 3.25pm, to make his 7.10pm flight from Heathrow Airport - a good four-and-a-half hours earlier than Richmond Council's advised time.
The council's guidelines state that residents should not put their bags out before 8pm the night prior to collection, reports the Liverpool Echo. Mr Wright explained: "I only put it out a few hours before. It was the last thing I did before we left for holiday and the latest time that I could leave it out."
Upon returning from his honeymoon, he was greeted with a fixed penalty notice from Richmond council. He said: "I came back from my honeymoon with a fixed penalty notice from Richmond council. It said that we had to pay it within 10 days, but we couldn't because we weren't even there."
Mr Wright insists the bags were not causing an obstruction: "They weren't in the middle of the walkway or obstructing anyone. This is just a blatant cash grab to me. I am not paying it. This kind of thing just can't happen. It is absolutely wrong. I will take them to court if it comes to that."
In response, Richmond Council stated: "Richmond Council is committed to keeping the borough's streets clean, safe and accessible for everyone. To help achieve this, we encourage residents to follow the guidance on when to put waste out for collection."
"Waste should only be placed out between 8pm the night before and 6am on the day of collection. When these rules are not followed, enforcement action may be taken where appropriate."
It's not just the risk of a fine that should worry holidaymakers, but also the potential hygiene and pest issues associated with leaving bins out in the summer heat. Wheeldon Brothers cautioned: "Warm weather speeds up decomposition, and rubbish left baking in a bin can become a magnet for rodents and insects."
"If the lid's not shut properly, or the bin gets blown over, you could return from holiday to a mess on your driveway and some very unhappy neighbours."
They also highlighted that bin collection schedules often change during the summer, particularly around bank holidays, so it's crucial to verify the dates before heading off.
To avoid any penalties, Wheeldon Brothers suggest the following:
Ask your neighbour or a family member to bring your bin bags inside after collection.
Double check the collection schedules before you leave, particularly during bank holidays.
Make sure the lid is properly closed to avoid spills and attracting pests.
Report any bin damage and ask for a replacement.
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