Outrageous Recycling Fines and How to Avoid Them

There are literally  hundreds of stories of people and businesses being fined for a wide variety of recycling infractions. The fines can begin with just a few pounds, but some find themselves fined hundreds or even thousands, depending on the “crime”. There are some simple ways in which these fines can be avoided, most of which require just a little bit of knowledge and common sense.

While it may be nearly impossible to list all of the potential violations, here are some common recycling issues and the ways they can be avoided.

Overfilled bins
Overfilled bins are a big issue, particularly in the UK. Some councils have sent questionnaires to their constituents to gauge what a reasonable bin level is. The surveys have been met with a lot of hostility and bewilderment, with some calling the schemes “stupid” and “draconian”. Some councils weigh the bins, which may or may not make more sense because some large items can take up a lot of room but weigh next to nothing. If one has several large plastic containers, for instance, what exactly should be done with them if they can’t be binned?

Overfilled bins + Fine = Daily Mail Headline

No one seems to have a good answer. The result of overfilling bins, however, can lead to the recycling not being picked up for a fortnight, which can cause a lot of problems with insects and rodents. Also, there are fines for overfilling a bin that are assessed by individual councils. The best advice is to know your council’s criteria and file a protest if it seems unfair.

Littering
Littering is simply inexcusable. A good rule of thumb is that if you take an item with you when you go to a sporting or outdoor event, you should take it back home and dispose of it properly. Throwing things out a car window is also completely unacceptable, and frankly, I think these people should be fined.

Littering is completely unacceptable

Improperly sorted materials
Improperly sorting items seem to be a very big problem for many residents. However, this isn’t always their fault. Often times the list of accepted items is unclear, either because the council has not properly explained how items should be sorted or the manufacturer of the item has not clearly marked it. Regardless, councils may refuse to pick up recycling, and in many cases, there are absurd fines attached. There seems to be no room for personal error, which is a little too rigid. One example of this “crime” is the recent story about a man who received trouble for accidentally dropping a tea bag into his very carefully sorted plastics. Again, be sure you know and follow all the rules, especially when it comes to details such as removing labels or caps.

Don’t mix your materials, it’ll land you in hot water

Landfill fines
Landfill fines seem to be a hot topic these days, especially with many councils and landfills imposing rather stiff fees for disposal. These fines can range from excessive amounts of waste to attempting to dispose of recyclable items such as electronics, large household appliances, or toxic/hazardous waste.

To avoid these fines, one should be aware of what can and cannot be recycled. Check with the landfill operators to learn which items are acceptable and which are not. For those who think they may be able to add just a few more things to the lorry, you might be met with a rude surprise. This is especially true when it comes to building sites.

You need to check with your council about what goes in Landfill and what doesn’t

Chemical disposal
Chemical disposal is a difficult thing to handle. Using properly trained disposal companies can be expensive and difficult to deal with. However, there are few other options when it comes to chemicals that get them out of your home and prevent them from being introduced to a landfill.

Recyclers can often take chemicals and turn them into harmless or inert waste. The chemicals may be harvested and reused, recycled, or incinerated. This can apply to such items as motor oil, chemical components in electronics, and household cleaning products. Be sure to read the labels and never mix chemicals together as there can be a rather nasty chemical reaction. Above all else, never dump chemicals into the sewer system.

Very large fines can be assessed for improper disposal. I remember hearing a story about an American company who was fined approximately $250,000 for such infractions.

Improperly disposed Chemicals are a bad thing

Composting
Legislation regarding composting is becoming more and more common. Composting is often separated into garden waste and food waste, and the two should never meet. This doesn’t make sense to many people who believe that organic waste is organic waste. However, the councils wield the power to issue fines, no matter how ridiculous they may seem at times.

Composting is vital as the items should not be going to a landfill. Many have stated that organic waste is relatively easy to biodegrade so putting it into landfill shouldn’t be a problem. That’s not entirely true when you consider that the waste is very often put into plastic bags.

If there are composting fines in your area but not the appropriate recycling services, one can always use the compost as fertilizer for the lawn or garden. If that’s not possible, some places actually accept composted materials for business use such as fertilizer companies or greenhouses.

Even composting is governed by regulations

This can also apply to larger items that are not accepted by recycling companies such as tree branches, sod, and soil. These items are too large and unwieldy or too heavy to be collected by refuse vehicles, but that doesn’t make them unusable. Be creative! If the sod or soil is in good condition, find a place that is in need of fill or top soil. For large branches, you may consider finding a business or individual in possession of a wood chipper. The branches can be chipped into mulch or landfill and very often sold to make a profit.

In the end, the way to avoid being hit with outrageous fines is to educate yourself. If recycling legislation and/or fines in your area are unfair or over the top, it is perfectly acceptable to go to the council and say so. After all, councils do not want a revolt on their hands. While many people are afraid to go to council, just consider it as a favour to your neighbours and yourself.

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