Households warned of fines if they break four rules on bin day

Households warned of fines if they break four rules on bin day Fines can be issued to households that make the four mistakes Bin collections have undergone huge changes across England this year. There are now separate collections for food waste, paper and card, glass, metal and plastic. Local authorities need to provide clear information about what can and can't be recycled, with some councils exempt until at least 2040. If households place the wrong items in bins, they might not be collected or even risk being fined. Putting items that cannot be recycled into recycling bins can also cause contamination. Councils can refuse collection of bins and will tag them with a warning sticker. Households would be urged to remove the incorrect items before the next bin collection. In extreme cases, households can even be issued fixed penalty notices. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs states that penalties can be issued when households don't follow waste collection rules. Bin mistakes that can be fined Households can be issued fines from their local authority if they put waste out that: - Causes an obstruction to neighbours, such as forcing people using wheelchairs or buggies to walk on the road - Restricts access to the pavement or street, for example leaving waste receptacles (bins or bags) out for several days - Is likely to attract vermin like foxes and rats, such as leaving bags or open receptacles out days before a waste collection - Is unsightly (torn bags or overturned receptacles are left out) When fines can't be issued Local authorities can't issue fines to households for minor problems. These include: - Putting something in the wrong receptacle by mistake - Forgetting to close receptacle lids - Leaving receptacles out for a few hours before a collection Fixed penalties are issued in the form of a written warning to explain why the rules have been broken. If the household doesn't comply, a notice of intent can be issued. A final notice can be sent 28 days after the notice of intent, and it will include the amount the household must pay. The government states that the maximum full penalty is £80. Households need to be told why they have been given the fixed penalty, the deadline for payment, what happens if they pay it early, what happens if they don't pay and how they can appeal. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "The Government wishes to encourage a measured and balanced approach, where householders are not penalised for minor breaches of waste bin rules. "The use of these penalties should focus on those who cause genuine harm to the local environment."