With over five million Britons expected to see their by penny-pinching local councils, many households may struggle to find room for their refuse.
One expert has expressed concern that, in a desperate attempt to bin their rubbish, Brits may find themselves being hit with a £400 fine from their local council.
BusinessWaste.co.uk said it believed some homes may resort to “”, which means using a neighbour’s bin to contain their household waste.
Dropping litter in a neighbour’s bin is considered both an anti-social behaviour and possibly comes under the offence of fly-tipping.
Mark Hall, waste collection expert at , explained local authorities have discretion to issue fixed penalty notices for minor fly-tipping offences. Fines range from £150 to £400 but if you do not pay the fine and end up in court it could escalate to £1,000.
As well as fewer bin collections, households face a 5% increase in their , according to Freedom of Information Requests by the Taxpayers’ Alliance.
It found one in ten local councils in Britain were considering reducing their services in some form.
The news follows a major backlash last week when Bristol Council announced a consultation into having black bin collections just once a month.
Alongside Bristol, two other councils – Carmarthenshire and East Ayrshire – are also considering cutting waste to once every four weeks. Four councils – North Ayrshire, Dundee, Angus, East Ayrshire – are looking at recycling only once a month.
While it may seem unlikely that such a minor offence could incur a fine, it has happened before, according to the waste collection firm.
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What to do if you are a victim of bin stuffing
Hall advises moving any bins in places that are harder for people to access, but if the problem persists, it may be a good idea to speak to your neighbour first.
If that doesn’t work, then speak to your local council, and you may need to provide evidence.
Some local councils recommend having a locked bin
Hall said: “Handling waste properly is not just a matter of legal obligation; it’s also a significant component of living harmoniously in close quarters.
“Ensuring that each household takes responsibility for their own waste is key to maintaining not only cleanliness and order, but also a pleasant environment for everyone in the community.”