Residents warned not to misuse litter bins

RESIDENTS in Carmarthenshire are being warned not to put their household waste in litter bins.

Council staff have reported that some litter bins are being used by residents to dispose of household or garden waste.

This means the bins are filling up sooner than if they were used for general litter.

Problems have been reported in Reservoir Road in Carmarthen and at Dafen pond in Llanelli in particular where litter bins are overflowing with household waste. Some residents are also dumping bags of rubbish next to the bins.

Now residents are being warned that they could be prosecuted for a fly-tipping offence under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 where the maximum fine is £2,500.

Environmental enforcement officers regularly carry out patrols across the county.

Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “It is very disappointing that people are misusing the litter bins in this way as it is causing them to fill up too fast and then they can’t be used for litter.

“These are important facilities for the community and this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.

“The council is determined to improve the quality of the environment for both residents and visitors to the county.”