Latest news with #rubbish
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
China woman obsessed with collecting rubbish fills upscale home with junk, triggers complaints
A rubbish hoarding woman who lives alone in an upscale area of Shanghai has sparked an avalanche of complaints from her neighbours, forcing some of them to sell their flats. Over the past couple of years, the woman in her 60s, surnamed Cheng, has been annoying people with her unsanitary behaviour. However, they could do nothing to stop her bringing rubbish home and storing it in her flat and in the public corridor, Shanghai TV reported. She lives in the city's Huangpu District, and her 157 square metre home is worth 36 million yuan (US$5 million). The corridor outside the woman's home is strewn with all manner of rubbish. Photo: Douyin 'She picks up all kinds of rubbish, from cardboard to bottles and plastic bags to food waste. Her flat is full of rubbish, in the bathtub and on an expensive sofa which was imported from Italy and is valued at more than 200,000 yuan (US$30,000),' a neighbour surnamed Li told the media.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Three-bedroom house on sale for astonishing price of £25,000... can YOU spot the catch?
This three bedroom house in the quaint Tyne and Wear town of Hetton-le-Hole is being sold for just £25,000 and is - on the surface - an absolute steal. But a look inside the property, which also includes a rear garden, reveals the hell its future owner has to deal with. The terraced property, on Caroline Street, is covered wall-to-wall with piles of rubbish. Its spacious living room has a ceiling-high mound of rubbish, presumably from a previous owner. Among the filth, bags of toys can be seen strewn around alongside baby carriers. A path from the front door to the kitchen through the rubbish has apparently been carved out. The kitchen doesn't fare much better with old dirty clothes barely covering the grimy floor. Boxes of old food, including what appears to be a box of Lidl's Crownfield Bixies and a bag of oats, can be seen across the counters. And the boiler appears to have a hazard sticker, warning inhabitants not to use it over safety concerns. Upstairs in the bathroom, the tub is in a state of severe disrepair while the rest of the room is littered with old cardboard boxes. One bedroom upstairs appears to have old cans of Strongbow cider on its shelves, as well as several half-drunk bottles of Pepsi across the floor. Another bedroom, which appears to have belonged to a child, was seen covered in a mix of children's toys and electronics. Several rolls of bin liners can be seen on the floor as well. It's not clear what happened to the previous occupants of the home. It comes after Rightmove data revealed that some parts of Britain saw property sales almost double in the last year. May 2025 saw the largest number of agreed property sales out of any month since March 2022. May is typically a busy point in the year for agreed sales, which is when an offer has been made and accepted. However, this year's figure reflects an improvement in housing market conditions, according to Rightmove. Across the UK, the number of sales agreed is now 6 per cent ahead of the same period last year. However, this trend is more prominent in some areas than others. In Wales, the number of sales being agreed is 15 per cent higher than at this time last year, whereas in London the figure is just 1 per cent higher.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Hoarder threatened with council action after mountain of rubbish, broken furniture and trolley full of groceries piles high in her front garden
A hoarder has been threatened with council action after letting a mountain of rubbish with broken furniture and Tesco groceries pile high in her front garden. Sharon Cochrane is under intense scrutiny from neighbours who complain the mess is attracting vermin to their cul-de-sac in Hunstanton, Norfolk. Shocking images show pots and pans left to gather grime, coat hangers, rubbish bins and even a packet of chestnut mushrooms past the use-by date. Ms Cochrane has shrugged off the criticism saying it is no one's business and 'I don't understand why people are so concerned'. She added 'the world is going to hell in a handbasket' and has questioned why people are 'so concerned about the furniture in my front drive'. But enraged locals in the Victorian seaside town are vowing to take 'direct action' if the rubbish is not removed in front of the Chatsworth Road bungalow. They have also claimed 'nothing seems to happen' when they complain and say the only time they see Ms Cochrane is when she 'walks past to Tesco with a shopping trolley'. It comes as a car with a damaged wing and flat front tyre has also been parked on the street outside with a sideboard next to it. Despite the council's warnings of direct action, officers are trying to work co-operatively with Ms Cochrane and say no deadline has been set because she is now trying to clean the rubbish. But impatient neighbours have insisted they have been 'suffering with this on and off for 10 years'. One householder said: 'People have tried to get lots of different agencies involved but nothing seems to happen. 'We only occasionally see her walk past to Tesco with a shopping trolley. 'This is a quiet, peaceful road and it's a shame.' Tammy Edmunds, spokesman of Chatsworth Road, added: 'How can the law of the land let someone live in such squalor and filth? 'I appreciate there are laws and regulations but some people seem to live above them. 'The street has been suffering with this on and off for ten years and in the last five weeks its gotten worse. 'It's a fire hazard and risk of health and safety. 'We've heard of rats from there spreading across to other properties which has meant pest control have had to come out.' Ms Cochrane previously insisted it was no one else's business. She said: 'The world is going to hell in a handbasket and people care so much about my furniture on my own drive. 'I don't understand why people are so concerned.' West Norfolk Council says it is working Ms Cochrane 'to manage her property'. A spokesman added: 'The council is working with the owner to manage her property. 'Officers recognise that she has made an effort to clear the exterior and they will continue to support her to do this. 'However, they also have the council's authority to take direct action, which means that if it becomes necessary a clear-up can be undertaken, for which she will be liable.' The council has served an enforcement notice under the Town and Country Planning Act ordering Ms Cochrane to clear up the mess. If it takes 'direct action', she would be liable for the cost of removing it and could have a charge put on her property to recover the money if she is unable to pay.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Can you be fined for overfilling your wheelie bins? Experts explain the rules
Have you got a lot of rubbish to get rid of this week? Sometimes, UK households have more rubbish and recycling to sort than usual and you might wonder if you'll get fined for overfilling your wheelie bin. While going to the tip is an option for many, it's not always the most convenient so you might find yourself trying to fill as much space in your bin as you can. But can this cost you? Waste management specialists Wheeldon Brothers have shared the rules for overfilling your wheelie bin and some tips to make sure you stay on the right side of the law. Wheeldon Brothers is warning homeowners that putting too much rubbish in their bin could lead to fines of up to £110, with different rules in place depending on where they live. Residents across the UK are being urged to check their local waste rules after it emerged that overfilling a wheelie bin could lead to a fine, missed collections or even legal action. While it may seem like a harmless mistake, leaving a bin overflowing or with the lid ajar is considered a breach of waste disposal regulations in many areas and it's something local authorities are cracking down on, Wheeldon Brothers explains. For example, in Basingstoke and Deane, residents can face £80 fines for waste offences. Croydon Council has also issued penalties of £100 or more to households repeatedly found in breach of bin usage rules. In other areas, such as Nottinghamshire, overfilled bins are often left uncollected and residents are issued with warning notices. Wheeldon Brothers is warning homeowners that putting too much rubbish in their bins could lead to fines of up to £110 (Image: Getty) According to Wheeldon Brothers, the issue is more serious than people realise. 'Bins that are overfilled or left with the lid open can cause waste to spill out onto streets, attract vermin, and create environmental health issues,' a spokesperson for Wheeldon Brothers explained. They added: 'It's not just about how it looks – it can present real problems for hygiene, safety, and efficient waste handling.' Many councils have now introduced stricter enforcement, with repeat offences potentially resulting in formal action or escalating fines. And as more authorities refuse to collect bins that exceed set limits, households are being encouraged to pay closer attention to how they manage their waste. 'If your bin is too full or too heavy to be safely handled, or if additional bags are left on top or beside it, it may not be collected,' the expert said. They continued: 'To avoid this, break down large items, recycle as much as possible, and don't rely on your bin being emptied if it's clearly overloaded.' The rules vary from one local authority to another, with some allowing a small gap in the lid, while others insist it must be fully closed. Side waste, which means any extra bags left next to the bin, is now banned in many regions. 'We always advise residents to check with their council, especially if they've recently moved or are unsure of the specific rules,' the spokesperson continued. Recommended reading: Have you found rats in your house or garden? What to do if you see rodents Which neighbour is responsible for paying for garden fence repairs? How to check Expert shares best time to water your plants on a hot day 'Managing your waste properly isn't just about avoiding a fine – it's about doing your part to keep the local area clean and safe for everyone.' To avoid breaking the rules, Wheeldon Brothers recommends: Flattening cardboard and packaging to maximise space Separating recyclables correctly to reduce pressure on general waste bins Using food and garden bins if available Never forcing lids shut or leaving additional bags on the kerb 'A few small changes in how you dispose of your rubbish can make a big difference. Fines are avoidable – it just comes down to being a bit more mindful,' the spokesperson added.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Gut-wrenching' smell from dead rats in overflowing rubbish 'not collected for four weeks'
A concerned resident says he's regularly finding dead rats in a mountain of rubbish outside his home which he claims hasn't been collected for 'four weeks'. The resident, who lives in a block of flats on Turfpits Lane, Erdington, said the smell is "gut-wrenching". He said his neighbour can see the stinking pile of overflowing bins from her kitchen window. READ MORE: Stratford Road shop chief fumes as rats destroy clothes worth £1k "One resident lives next to to this," the Emery House resident told BirminghamLive. "Less than 20 feet from this mountain. Her kitchen looks out onto it." Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp He added: "We're now seeing rats regularly amongst the black bin bags - dead rats. "The smell is gut-wrenching." The resident, who lives in a block of around 40 flats, has called on the council to clear out the rubbish. We have contacted Birmingham City Council asking when the bin bags will be collected. Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here Birmingham's bin workers walked out indefinitely in March. The dispute was initially triggered by Birmingham City Council's plans to scrap a Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role. Unite, the union representing the city's striking bin workers, claimed scrapping the role would force 'dedicated workers onto pay levels barely above the minimum wage'. The council has since claimed that 'fair and reasonable offer' has been made - but both parties are yet to come to an agreement.
