Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Rubbish bin fines to be abolished

Matt Chorley
Sunday 15 January 2012 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Fines for people who put their rubbish in the wrong bin are to be abolished under plans to be unveiled this week.

Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary, will reverse Labour's policy of allowing councils to charge households up to £1,000 for leaving bins out on the wrong day or not shutting lids properly. A consultation will be launched tomorrow but councils will be told to limit fines to just £40 from this spring.

"Heavy-handed bin fines have for too long been used to punish people for innocent mistakes," Mrs Spelman said. "We are now consigning them to the scrapheap of history."

However, David Parsons, from the Local Government Association, played down the significance of the charges for most taxpayers, insisting: "Householders need not have any concern that innocent mistakes like leaving the bin out on the wrong day or putting paper in the plastics bin will land them with a fine."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in