Woman fined for continually putting non-recyclable waste in blue bags

A LLANELLI woman has been prosecuted in court for putting non-recyclable waste in her blue bags.

Deborah Gail Myhill, aged 45, of Cambrian Street, was convicted in absence at Carmarthen Magistrates Court for an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The court heard that council environmental enforcement officers received a complaint about a large amount of rubbish to the rear of Cambrian Street.

On arrival, the officers found 14 bags of household waste as well as children’s toys, prams and other household items. The blue bags contained clothes and rotting food and evidence was found relating to Myhill.

Council records showed that Myhill had previously been fined for a similar offence.

She was fined £400 by magistrates and ordered to pay £204.74 prosecution costs and £15 victim surcharge.

The council now hopes this fine will act as a warning to other residents to make sure they only use their blue bags to recycle paper, cardboard, cans and plastic.

All blue bags are put into the same compartment of the refuse lorry and the wrong type of waste could contaminate the whole load.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “It is important that people put only the correct type of waste in their blue bags. If residents are unsure of what goes in their blue bags then please get in touch and our officers will be more than happy to advise them.

“We do not want to fine people, we want to help them as best we can. However, if a resident continually ignores the council’s advice and repeated warnings it has no choice but to prosecute them. It is vital we recycle as much of our waste as possible and we have strict recycling targets to meet.”

The council is currently recycling about 49% of rubbish in Carmarthenshire but just reach a target of 52% by the end of this financial year – rising to 70% by 2025. There are also limits on the amount of waste that can go to landfill. Failure to reach these targets could result in large fines.

For further information on recycling including what goes in the blue bag visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/recycling or call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.