A binman has shared what he describes as the simplest way to understand bin rules and avoid costly mistakes. Ashley, who posts as the No.1 Binman on TikTok, said: "You just need to go to your council website, it is that simple."
He explained that most councils have an A-Z guide on what goes in what bin or if it can go in any bin, adding: "It has all the information on there."
Rules differ between councils
Ashley stressed that rules are not the same everywhere. "Every council is different. Just because if at one house you used to put something in the bin, it doesn't mean anything. As soon as you move councils, [it is] completely different," he said.
The website will also tell residents what to do if their bin was not collected and what day bin collection is, he added.
When fines can be issued
Getting it right matters, as placing items in the wrong bin is likely to result in it being left uncollected. This can leave rubbish mounting up as people wait weeks for the next scheduled collection. In more serious cases, householders could face a fine.
Incorrect recycling has the potential to contaminate entire loads of waste, which means councils may decline to collect bins containing inappropriate materials. Bins may be tagged with a warning notice, and householders may be asked to remove the items ahead of the next scheduled collection.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) states that councils have the authority to issue fixed penalty notices when households persistently fail to follow waste collection rules. Residents could face enforcement action if their waste creates an obstruction or nuisance to neighbours.
According to the guidance, fines may be applied where waste blocks access for neighbours, including wheelchair users or parents with buggies; restricts access to pavements or roads by leaving bins or rubbish bags out for days after collection; is likely to attract vermin such as rats or foxes by being left out too early; or creates an unsightly environment through torn bags or overturned bins left on the street.
Before any fine is imposed, households should be given a written warning setting out why the rules have been breached. Should the problem persist, councils are able to issue a notice of intent, followed by a final notice after 28 days, specifying the sum owed. The maximum fixed penalty stands at £80.
