Outdoor bins can be a little stinky; that’s just a fact of life. But when your waste bins start to smell particularly bad, it’s not only unpleasant for everyone around you, but it could land you a hefty fine, too.
Since the new, simpler recycling rules came into effect, you may have found you have even more waste bins to contend with. But while you get to grips with what to put in a food bin, you should also be exploring how to reduce the smell, too.
Waste experts have revealed that if your smelly bin is defined as a ‘statutory nuisance’, you could face being fined for this misdemeanour. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Can you recieve a fine for a smelly bin?
Now, your bins are never going to smell as good; it is a bin after all. But in extreme cases, the stench and how you dispose of waste can get you in trouble.
‘In the UK at least, you’re unlikely to get fined just because your bin smells, but the lines are blurred. The law is focused on whether it can be considered a ‘statutory nuisance’, which means it has significantly interfered with someone’s enjoyment of their home or even health, a step further than just being unpleasant,’ explains Karl McArdle, co-founder of The Property Buying Company.
‘The key thing people often misunderstand is that smell alone isn’t enough. Councils look at factors like how often it happens, how severe it is, and how many people it affects. An occasional whiff won’t cut it, but a persistent, overpowering smell from rotting waste that attracts the local wildlife, absolutely might.’
If your bin falls within the realm of ‘statutory nuisance’, you won’t be landed with a fine straight away; instead, your local council should give you the chance to rectify the stench.
‘A council order will be served telling you to fix the problem, and fines will only come into consideration further down the line if action is not taken. Unlimited fines can be dealt and fixed penalty notices (FPN) issued for continued poor waste control,’ says Jack Malnick, Managing Director of Sell House Fast.
‘These FPN’s can be anywhere between £60-£200, depending on how soon you pay it and the council area you reside in, while a court date could cost you thousands if it escalates that far.’
What to do if your neighbour’ bins smell
On the other side of the fence is knowing what to do if it is your neighbour’s bins that pong. And as is the case with most neighbourly disputes, a friendly and open conversation is required.
‘I would like to think the first port of call if your neighbours’ bins are causing a genuine problem, would be to have a polite conversation. If that doesn’t work, reach out to your local council and log a complaint,’ says Karl.
‘They may investigate further and can issue an abatement notice requiring that the issue be fixed. Breaching this notice is considered a criminal offence, and although the fixed penalties are usually in the lower range, the fines are unlimited and can reach into the thousands.’
No one likes a smelly bin, full stop. So, the best resolution is to not let them get that bad in the first place. Instead, take the time to clean your bin each week using water and disinfectant (like Dettol’s Rose and Peach Blossom Concentrated Disinfectant Liquid). You can also sprinkle bicarbonate of soda (£2, Amazon) at the bottom of your bins, too, to act as a deodoriser.
Keep your bin clean
Dri-Pak
Dri-Pak Clean & Natural Bicarbonate of Soda 500g
Dettol
Multipurpose Concentrated Disinfectant Liquid
Bin Buddy
Bin Buddy Spring Blossom
As the weather heats up, bins will inevitably become a little more smelly. But if you take practical steps and clean your bins regularly, you will stop it from becoming a problem.
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