This simple bin mistake could cost you £400 if you aren’t careful

A simple error with your bins this Christmas could land you with £400 fine.

Blocking the pavement by leaving your bin out on the street on non-collection days will land you with a fine.

Under Section 46A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils can issue fines of up to £400 for the offence.

And as we head through the Christmas period into New Year when collection times often differ, people are being warned to double-check when they should put their bins out.

Kensington and Chelsea Councils in London warns on its website that ‘it is an offence to put your domestic waste out other than on the scheduled days of collection.’

It adds: ‘You could face a Fixed Penalty Notice of £150 or £400, depending on the amount you have left out. You also run the risk of facing court action.’

Stoke-on-Trent council allows residents to leave a maximum of two additional black bags next to their normal bin on scheduled collection days.

It says: ‘If it is left out days in advance of the collection day, it will be treated as illegal dumping and a fixed penalty notice will be issued.’

In Birmingham, the city council warns: ‘Under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, you must present your waste in the way that we ask you to.

‘This includes putting your bins out at the required time and not storing them on the street.

‘If you do not put out your bins as we have described, we can refuse to collect your waste. We can also take action against you.

‘If we decide to take action against you, you could be issued with a notice of intent, under Section 46, stating the rule breach and the problems caused by it.’

The local authority adds: ‘If you do not fix the problem, you could then be given a penalty charge of £60. We may also remove your bins.’

If you’re looking to get rid of your Christmas tree, there’s easy ways to recycle it.

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