Fixed penalty notice for recycling bag that was blown onto the street Post Reply

[Happychange18]

I got a fixed penalty notice from Wandsworth council for £300 as my recycling bag was blown onto the street!!

Just wondered if anyone has successfully appealed this and how did you appeal it?

[chorister]

What was in the bag? It must have been really light contents (and I guess any appeal committee will ask the same question).

[Fbay]

I had the same. Although not for £300, that seems very high so they must have increased. I stipulated that I put my rubbish out in accordance with the Wandsworth rules (list them) and that I made every effort to ensure the path was clear. I wasn’t in control if someone moved the bag from its original position I looked up the company and there are many complaints about their methods online. I also couldn’t lodge an appeal easily. In the end I had to post it so make sure to raise any issues with that if you have them.

[BinFine]

Happend to friends of mine, they were going on holiday for two weeks and would naturally miss bin day.

They bagged up their rubbish and then left if by a public bin outside their flat, they live on the 3rd floor and don't have their own bins,

Fined a couple of hundred pounds for fly tipping.

Not entirely sure what they were meant to do TBH.

[Binbaden]

Recycling is lightweight, so can blow around and bins must be put out at correct time holidays or not.

However I am puzzled how the council were able to identify you and issue a fine.

You can check collection day under your postcode on the council website and method of leaving stuff out to avoid issues.

[BinFine]

they went through the bag and found mail that had been addressed to the housemates.

I think if you want to stitch someone up you could just put a bag of rubbish on a street corner with their details inside.

[BinFine]

am assuming they did same to HappyChange as they did to my friend and her housemates.

[gkc]

Not sure where you live, but I’ve heard of this happening quite a lot between the commons and apparently the local councillors have been very helpful in disputing fines etc. Definitely worth a try. It’s easy to find their email addresses online.

[ronangel]

Dont pay them one penny let them take you to court.They have to prove YOU placed the bag wherever intentionly  with photographic or other evedence admissable in court not that it was done by the wind which would be "an act of god" or by a third party, and beyond your control! Do not settle for any reduced fine offered go to court! winning the case will also help other people.

[Binfine]

Is that really the case? That they have to prove you placed the bag there?

I guess for my friends that would mean the fine still stood, as they did.

Would love to see sources if that’s true as not sure would have confidence to leave it.

[Binbaden]

Wow, certainly a deterrent from losing control of your binbags again!
If its housemates its a shared fine by whole house then !