Woman fined for failing to comply with recycling scheme

A LLANELLI woman has been fined £175 and ordered to pay £336.29 court costs for failing to comply with the council’s kerbside recycling scheme.

Carol Ann Thorne, aged 39, of Stafford Street, was convicted in absence of an offence contrary to Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court.

The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The court heard that the council’s environmental enforcement officers were on patrol on Friday, May 6, 2011, when they saw that some blue bags had been left out after collection day.

The offices inspected the bags and found that they had been contaminated with food waste. Evidence was also found relating to a Carol Ann Thorne.

Further investigation revealed Thorne had already been issued with a notice seven months earlier which required her to put the correct materials into the blue bags.

Following numerous attempts to contact Thorne, the officers issued a fixed penalty notice for £100 for breaching the requirements set out in the notice. However, she failed to pay it within the specified time and was prosecuted in court as a result.

It is now hoped this case will act as a warning to other residents who fail to comply with the council’s recycling scheme.

Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “It is important people put only the correct materials in their blue recycling bags and if residents are unsure, then please get in touch and our officers will be more than happy to advise them.

“We don’t want to fine people; we want to make it as easy as possible to recycle. However, if a resident continually ignores the council’s advice and repeated warnings it has no choice but to prosecute them.

“The council has strict recycling/composting targets to meet and must reduce the amount of waste going to landfill or risks large fines. We all have a part to play in this and I hope residents will act responsibly and co-operate with our recycling scheme as much as possible.”

For help and advice on what goes in the blue bags or for any other recycling information visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/recycling You can also call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.