Brits told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment
UK households are being urged to think twice before chucking garden waste into their green bins, as experts reveal one common blunder could be throwing a spanner in the works of recycling systems across the country.
According to My Home Improvements, an increasing number of households are unwittingly fouling up their green waste collections with soil, a material many assume is safe, but is actually prohibited by most local authorities. While it might seem innocuous, soil is too heavy, tricky to process, and often riddled with pests or diseases that can spoil entire batches of compost.
"It's one of the most common mistakes we see," remarked a spokesperson from My Home Improvements, adding that "soil might look natural, but it causes major issues for councils trying to turn garden waste into compost. Even a little bit can ruin a whole batch". This comes after the 'UK's most dangerous plant' left a toddler in A&E with second-degree burns.
Instead, contaminated collections often end up being dispatched to landfill, piling on costs for councils and wreaking havoc on the environment.
The alert comes as summer gardening peaks, with numerous gardeners busy clearing flower beds, repotting plants, or revamping their outdoor spaces.
Residents are now encouraged to check what can and can't go in their green bin via their local council's website and to offload soil through appropriate avenues such as household waste recycling centres. However, it's not just soil you need to keep an eye on, reports the Express.
Other forbidden items include: Japanese knotweed; food waste; plastic bags and plant pots; pet waste; timber; rubble; and treated wood. Tossing any of these into your garden bin could result in your waste being left uncollected, or worse, a fine.
Experts suggest checking your council's garden waste guide, as every local authority has different rules. In addition to this, using a compost heap and bagging things separately can help to avoid any issues too.
The spokesperson added: "Garden bins are not a catch-all for anything green. What feels natural to toss may be harmful to the environment, your community, or the composting process.
"If you're unsure, always double-check before you throw something away. The five minutes it takes to look it up could save you a £400 fine and a big headache down the line."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'Moreish' and crunchy chips can be made with 1 surprising veg instead of potatoes
French fries are one of the simplest and delicious dishes to make - and to make them extra crunchy and tasty, one food expert has shared a surprising alternative to use French fries, or chips as we fondly call them here, are a fast-food favourite with their irresistible crunch and endless flavour possibilities. Yet, the traditional potato version isn't exactly the healthiest choice for regular munching. But fear not, fry aficionados! The culinary whizzes at Good Food have let us in on a veggie secret that's just as satisfying and can be rustled up in half an hour. With a few simple tweaks, this veggie revelation is a breeze to make and serves up a guilt-free treat. They've even gone so far as to claim: "Ditch the potatoes and try these moreish courgette fries as a snack or side dish. Scatter with Parmesan before serving." Here's what you'll need for this game-changing courgette fries recipe that serves two, preps in five minutes, and cooks in 25, reports the Express. Ingredients Two tablespoons of plain flour Two courgettes Oil 15g of Parmesan grated Salt and pepper to taste Method Now, onto the method. Kick things off by slicing your courgettes into 1cm sticks. Grab a bowl, chuck in some flour, and give it a light dousing with a couple of tablespoons of water. Whisk it up until you've got a thick batter, then season it well with salt and a good crack of black pepper. Toss those courgettes in until they're nicely coated. Next, get a deep pan and heat about 4cm of oil to 180°C – just remember to keep it less than two-thirds full to avoid any kitchen mishaps. Before plunging the courgettes into the bubbling oil, check it's at the perfect temperature by dropping in a tiny bit of batter - it should fizz and turn golden within 30 seconds. Once you're satisfied it's ready, gently lower in half the battered courgettes and let them sizzle for five to six minutes, flipping them after roughly a minute until they're gorgeously crisp and golden. Should any pieces cling together, delicately prise them apart using tongs. Pop them onto a plate lined with kitchen roll to soak up excess oil, then repeat the process with the remaining batch. Dust with Parmesan and serve immediately whilst piping hot. These courgette chips have earned themselves a stellar five out of six star rating from impressed home cooks. One delighted reviewer said: "Great recipe, really tasty. I cut my courgettes a little bit thicker than written here (a bit closer to the shape of potato wedges), but they still fried well. Very sweet, crispy on the outside, very soft in the middle. Will absolutely become a staple in our house." Another foodie offered their own twist, suggesting: " Add paprika to the fires." However, one curious cook wondered: "Can you cook these in the air fryer rather than deep fat frying them?" Good Food replied: "We haven't tested this in the air fryer, so we can't guarantee the results. You'll need to make sure there's no excess batter on them, as this can cause problems with the air fryer. "You might be better to just coat them in seasoned flour, spray or drizzle with some oil, then cook in the air fryer. We hope this helps."
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Fish and chips will 'golden and crisp' in just one hour — no need for deep frying
For an easy and delicious fish and chips recipe that requires no deep frying, look no further - it's even better than the chippy Fish and chips, a classic British dish, is often the takeaway of choice for many on a Friday night. This tradition has become so popular that it's affectionately known as "fish and chip Friday," marking the end of the working week with a trip to the local chippy, reports the Express. With over 10,500 dedicated fish and chip shops across the UK, it's not hard to satisfy your craving for these deep-fried delights, although you might have to shell out £18 or even £21 for the privilege. Given the cost, it's worth considering making fish and chips at home, and you don't even need a deep-fat fryer. The culinary experts at Maldon Salt have shared a simple air fryer recipe that promises mouth-watering crispy cod and chips in just an hour. The recipe uses panko breadcrumbs, which are made from crust-less bread and designed to be light and fluffy. To achieve a crunchy batter on the fish, they recommend using either hake or cod, and combining Maldon Sea Salt flakes with vegetable oil. The recipe also includes tasty mushy peas and tartar sauce, and unlike at a chip shop, there's no extra charge. Plus, you can make extras. How to make fish and chips Ingredients For the chips 500g floury potatoes 1-2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil Maldon Sea Salt flakes For the fish 2 fillets of firm white fish such as cod or hake 50g plain flour 1 egg, lightly beaten 100g panko breadcrumbs 1-2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil Maldon Sea Salt flakes For the mushy peas 200g frozen peas 50g butter Maldon Sea Salt flakes For the tartar sauce 4 tbsp mayonnaise 1 tbsp capers, roughly chopped Small handful of cornichons, finely chopped Small bunch of parsley, finely chopped Zest and juice of half a lemon Black pepper Method For quick cooking, preheat the air fryer to 180C while you prepare the potatoes. Peel the potatoes and cut them into thin batons. Toss with oil to coat and season with Maldon Sea Salt. Spread out evenly in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until "golden and crisp", instructs the cooking experts. For the fish, pat the fillets dry and season with Maldon Sea Salt. Put the flour in one shallow bowl, the beaten egg in another, and the panko breadcrumbs in another. Coat the first fillet in flour, tap off any excess, then turn in the egg, let any excess drip off, and finally coat in the breadcrumbs. Use your hands to press the breadcrumbs onto the fillet to ensure even coverage. Repeat with the second fillet. Drizzle the breaded fillets with a little oil, then bake in the air fryer for 15 minutes until crisp on the outside and cooked through. For the mushy peas, briefly cook the peas in salted boiling water until tender. Drain, then return to the pan with the butter. Use a potato masher to crush the peas thoroughly. Season to taste with Maldon Sea Salt. For the tartar sauce, simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl and season with plenty of black pepper. As soon as the fish comes out of the air fryer, sprinkle it with Maldon Sea Salt. Serve the fish and chips with the mushy peas and tartar sauce, or try making your own curry sauce from scratch.
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Experts warn of 1 surprising item you should never put in your garden waste bin this summer
Not all garden waste is suitable for that bin and putting some items in can land you in bother Your garden waste bin is great for getting rid of grass cuttings, clippings from plants, and small branches you encounter when tidying up outside. But there is one thing that should never be disposed of in this bin - and doing so could see you fined. Branches, grass cuttings, and leaves are all garden matter that can be composted when it reaches the recycling point. But putting soil in can lead to contamination which will instead mean it has to go to landfill, experts have warned. While many might assume soil can be deposited in that bin, there's some reasons why it is banned. Waste experts at Wheeldon Brothers said trying to sneak it in can cause issues for you and for your local council. They explained: "Soil is heavy, doesn't compost in the same way as leaves or grass, and can cause serious wear and tear to collection equipment. "It's also a big contributor to overloaded bins – which can be dangerous for workers and may lead to your waste being left behind.' Instead, they recommend other ways of disposing of any soil you want rid of. For small amounts, it's suggested to add it to a home compost heap or redistribute it around your garden. And for larger quantities, your local recycling centre is the best bet. They also have identified four other things that should never be thrown into the garden waste bin or homeowners could face a council warning or even suspension of your bin service. 1. Pet waste Whether it's from dogs, cats, or unwelcome garden visitors like foxes, animal waste is a major red flag when it comes to garden bins. 'Animal waste may seem biodegradable, but it can harbour bacteria and parasites that aren't destroyed by standard composting temperatures,' warns Wheeldon Brothers. 'Putting it in with your garden waste risks contaminating the whole batch – making it unusable and potentially hazardous.' Instead, follow your council's guidance on pet waste disposal, or bag and bin it with general waste. 2. Invasive plants Yes, they're from your garden – but non-native or invasive plants like Japanese knotweed should never go in the garden waste bin. 'Improper disposal of invasive species is one of the biggest legal risks people overlook,' say the Wheeldon Brothers team. 'You could face a fine of up to £5,000 if you dispose of these plants incorrectly. In some cases, you even need a licensed waste carrier.' Always check government guidance if you're not sure. These plants spread aggressively and can wreak havoc on ecosystems if not handled properly. 3. Food waste Even if it's something like fruit peel or a tea bag, food waste and garden waste are not the same thing. 'Adding kitchen scraps to your garden waste bin can attract vermin and throw off the delicate microbial balance in composting systems,' the experts explain. 'Food waste should go in a separate caddy if your council provides one, or on a home compost heap where you can control the conditions.' Repeat offences can lead to council fines or suspension of your bin collection. 4. Plastics and rubble Plant pots, seed trays, broken tools – if it's plastic or synthetic, it doesn't belong in your garden bin. 'A lot of people assume that because something came from the garden, it's suitable for the garden waste bin – but plastics and rubble are a big contamination risk,' Wheeldon Brothers said. 'These materials don't break down, damage composting machinery, and can spoil entire loads of otherwise usable compost.' Keep an eye out for accidental plastic too – like labels or netting wrapped around plants. The expert added: "We know it's not always clear what belongs in which bin, especially in the garden." But a bit of care goes a long way. Following the rules protects the environment and avoids unnecessary costs. So next time you're clearing out your flower beds or trimming the hedge, double-check what you're throwing away – or risk more than just a messy garden.
