PEOPLE in Wiltshire are being warned not to dispose of household rubbish in public bins – after one resident was fined £1,000.
Wiltshire Council said residents found depositing their household waste in public litter bins could be issued fixed penalty notices or even prosecuted for fly-tipping.
It comes after one person, in Calne, was issued with a £1,000 fixed penalty notice (FPN) for fly-tipping domestic waste.
Environmental Enforcement Officers received a report of waste deposited on the pavement at The Green, Calne, and 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.
Litter bins on The Green are provided by Calne Town Council for park users to dispose of their general litter.
As the town council is 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.
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.”
Household waste is collected in Wiltshire every two weeks. The household waste bin should only be used to dispose of any rubbish that cannot be recycled.
Excess waste, that does not fit in the bin, can be bagged and taken to any household recycling centre (HRC).
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