I was fined £400 for silly bin mistake ANYONE could make – snooping council caught me red handed
A COUPLE has been slapped with a £400 fine after the council tracked them down for making a mistake anyone could've made.
Deborah and her partner Ian Day were both hit with individual £200 fines by Stoke-on-Trent City Council after one of them put an envelope in a public bin.
Deborah, who lives in Bentilee, was on her way to work when she threw her envelope in the bin on her street.
However, council investigators said this breached sections 87 and 88 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
This prevents people from dumping household waste into public bins.
The 47-year-old hairdresser, along with her husband were both fined for the littering offence.
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Ian hadn't been near the bin, but the council still found it appropriate to fine him as well, Deborah claimed.
The council used the address on the back of the envelope to locate the culprit and mailed the fines with an attached photo of the envelope.
Deborah believes the fines to be "ridiculous" and is furious with the council for having double standards.
She said: "We have a lot of homeless people emptying bins and leaving rubbish around - it's ridiculous - I go to work and I pay my taxes."
The hairdresser from Stoke explained how a man, who had been living inside a freezer outside a shop, had left rubbish everywhere, but the council did nothing.
Deborah has tried to appeal the fine, however, the council are adamant that they have to pay the charge.
The 47-year-old is now refusing and claims she'll "go to prison first" before paying the £200 fine.
She added: "The council is fining innocent people instead of cracking down on the people who actually do fly-tip."
The fine has "annoyed" her as she claimed to always pick up rubbish on the street and put it in the bins nearby.
A Stoke-on-Trent City Council Spokesperson said: "This case is currently under investigation with our Environmental Crime Team and we are unable to comment further at this time."
It comes after a man has been fined £1,300 for putting business waste next to his bins and is now fighting back against the council.
And drivers in a major city claim they are being fined for parking outside their homes thanks to a disastrous council delay.
What are the bin rules in the UK
In the UK, bin rules can vary depending on the local council regulations
Here are a few guidelines that are commonly followed:
- Types of bins:
Most households have separate bins for general waste (black or grey bins), recycling (blue or green bins), and sometimes garden waste (brown bins).
- Collection Schedule:
Each type of bin is usually collected on a specific day of the week, often on a rotating schedule.
It's important to know your collection days to ensure your bins are put out for collection at the right time.
- Bin Placement:
Bins should be placed at the edge of your property, usually by the curb, with the handles facing towards your house.
They should be easily accessible for the collection crew and not obstructed by parked cars or other objects.
- Overfilling:
Bins should not be overfilled to the point where the lid cannot be closed.
Overfilled bins may not be collected, and you could be issued a warning or fine by your local council.
- Recycling Guidelines:
It's important to follow the guidelines for recycling in your area.
This often includes rinsing out containers, removing lids, and sorting materials into the correct bins.
- Prohibited Items:
Certain items cannot be disposed of in regular household bins, such as hazardous waste, large electrical items, or bulky items like furniture.
These may require special collection or disposal arrangements.
- Bin Cleanliness:
Bins should be kept clean and free from any unpleasant odours.
Regular cleaning with water and disinfectant can help prevent pests and keep your bins in good condition.
- Reporting Issues:
If you have any issues with your bins, such as missed collections or damaged bins, you should report them to your local council for assistance.