Carmarthenshire County Council is warning its residents that they could face fines of up to £1,000 if they put their rubbish bags or recycling out for collection incorrectly (i.e placing recyclable waste in residual bins or placing rubbish out on the kerbside on the wrong day).
The warning comes after two Llanelli residents were fined £100 each for putting out their rubbish incorrectly last month. The two residents, who live on Langland Road and Annesley Street, were issued with fixed penalty notices (FPNs) and given information about recycling, and notices requesting that they comply with the recycling scheme in their area.
If residents ignore these notices, issued under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the council says they could be fined through an FPN or reported for summons in a magistrates’ court where the maximum fine on conviction is £1,000.
“Lanes that are strewn with black bags”
Councillor Jim Jones, executive board member for Technical Services, explained: “Carmarthenshire County Council’s Environmental Enforcement section receive numerous complaints every day regarding rubbish bags being presented early for collection or being put out on the wrong week.
“The result of this is rear lanes that are strewn with black bags and blue bags attracting vermin and creating litter when the bags are broken. Residents are being reminded that they will risk facing a fine if caught placing incorrect bins out or on the wrong days.”
Carmarthenshire residents can contact the council on 01267 234567 or view the council website to find out about rubbish collection days.
‘Towards Zero Waste’ strategy
The penalties come as Welsh councils are pushed to increase their recycling rates as part of the Welsh Government’s waste strategy, Towards Zero Waste.
This strategy requires local authorities in Wales to recycle, reuse or compost 58 per cent of municipal waste by 2015/16; 64 per cent by 2019/20; and 70 per cent of waste by 2025, and to be producing zero waste by 2050.
Councils that do not meet the statutory recycling targets can be fined £200 for every tonne of waste that they are over. As such, it is hoped that the threat of fines will encourage householders to recycle more/better.
Read about the Welsh Government’s recycling consultation.
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