North Ayrshire Council warning after increase in public bin misuse
The local authority says there has been an increase in the number of households and businesses putting rubbish in public bins
Last updated 4th Apr 2024
North Ayrshire residents and businesses are being reminded to dispose of their rubbish responsibly, following an increase in the number of people misusing public bins.
Putting household or commercial waste into council street bins is classed as fly-tipping under the Environmental Protection (Scotland) Act, and the Council is putting yellow warning stickers, stating “No household, commercial or unapproved side waste. Misuse of this bin can result in a Fixed Penalty of up to £500” on bins that are repeatedly misused.
Examples of misuse include shopkeepers who fill street bins outside their stores with their commercial waste. Such businesses should have their own waste contract.
The local authority warns placing commercial or household waste in public bins puts a burden on Streetscene resources and on the Council, which needs to pay landfill tax for waste like this that is disposed of irresponsibly.
Filling public bins with business rubbish also means residents and visitors to our towns and villages cannot conveniently dispose of things like takeaway containers and coffee cups.
Recently, six public bins in Largs were found to have been misused on the same day. And Streetscene staff have also come across personal data breaches, where takeaway delivery drivers have dumped paperwork - with customers’ names, addresses and phone numbers on delivery slips – into street bins.
"Denying a service to others"
Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy, said: “Misuse of public litter bins – for example, filling them with business waste – is denying a service to others who may wish to use them.
“This is an offence and, where we find evidence of local businesses doing this, these businesses will be charged a minimum of £120 for the servicing of the bin in question.
“Most people are respectful and take pride in keeping their neighbourhood – and places they visit in North Ayrshire – clean and tidy. We would just like to remind everyone that public litter bins are for public litter only.”
A trial of new bins with a smaller slot at the top to prevent bulky items being deposited is ongoing.