Residents warned against putting household waste in public litter bins

Wiltshire Council is reminding residents that people found depositing their household waste in public litter bins could be issued fixed penalty notices or even prosecuted for fly-tipping.

Household waste is collected in Wiltshire every two weeks, with all household waste, recycling and garden collection dates available on the waste collection calendar (opens new window). The household waste bin should only be used to dispose of any rubbish that cannot be recycled. Any excess waste that does not fit in the bin can be bagged and taken to any household recycling centre (HRC). It must not be placed in litter bins, dog bins or other public bins. Disposing of waste by unauthorised routes in this way could result in a fine of up to £1,000 or possible court action.

Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Highways, Flooding and Street Scene, said: The misuse of litter bins in this way still constitutes fly-tipping, which is the illegal disposal of rubbish on public or private land. As this resident found out, our officers will take action and issue penalties for all forms of fly-tipping.

Residents should only put their bagged, non-recyclable waste into their designated wheelie bins to be taken as part of their normal roadside collection, both for the benefit of the environment and to reduce the cost.

Alternatively, if any resident has excess household waste that they wish to dispose of, they can make use of our household recycling centres.

The important advice comes after a Calne resident was issued with a £1,000 fixed penalty notice (FPN) for fly-tipping domestic waste. The council's Environmental Enforcement Officers received a report of waste deposited on the pavement at The Green, Calne. After an investigation, it was traced back to the resident, who denied placing it on the footpath. The resident instead claimed to have placed it in the public litter bin.

The litter bins on The Green are provided by Calne Town Council for park users to dispose of their general litter. As the town council are not authorised to collect household waste, a fine would be applicable to anyone who puts household waste on the pavement or in the litter bin.

In addition to the breach of legislation, the cost of collecting from these bins is considerably more than the collection of household waste, as household waste vehicles are larger and compact the waste. Recycling the waste is also not possible from a general litter bin, as due to the nature of their locations, litter bins invariably contain dog waste and other such items. 

To find out more about how the council is tackling fly-tipping in Wiltshire and how to report fly-tipping, people should visit: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/fly-tipping

For information about local recycling centres, collection days and advice on how to recycle visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/rubbish-and-recycling.