A binman has issued a stern warning about a common yet risky habit that some households are practising, which could result in a fine of up to £400. Ashley, who shares tips on his popular TikTok account No.1 Binman, highlighted the issue of people attempting to “hide” items underneath their recycling waste.
“We know the houses that do it all the time. Today, I went to a bin and you could feel it,” Ashley explained. He cautioned residents, saying, “We know you do it so don’t get caught out. You think you’re clever and then you get left with the bin and then you’ll be like ‘what am I gonna do with it now?'”
Local authorities have the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for breaches related to household waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Typically, fines range from £60 to £80, but in cases that are severe, deliberate, or repetitive, the penalty can escalate up to £400.
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In related news, the Birmingham bin strike, which has lasted 19 months and has been all-out since March last year, continues to impact waste collection. Prior to the recent May elections, Labour Party council leader John Cotton had suggested that a resolution was “in sight”. Unite, the union involved, stated that a potential deal was ready to be presented to members. However, no agreement was finalised before the election, which saw Cotton lose his seat and Labour lose control of the council.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described the announcement as a “vindication of the bin workers' struggle for a decent deal”, following months of “intense” negotiations to revisit a previously agreed ballpark deal for union members to vote on. She praised the resilience of her members, who have endured months of hardship.
Conversely, Birmingham’s Conservative group leader, Robert Alden, criticised Labour for putting political interests before residents, calling the negotiations an “election stunt” and questioning why a lawful deal was not submitted to the council months ago.
A Reform UK spokesperson echoed this criticism, stating the authority had returned to the same deal rejected last year, with “nothing changed except the election timetable.”