Hundreds of households hit with bin fines bigger than those given to shoplifters

telegraph uk ^ | 7/4/10 | Richard Gray and Joshi Eichner Herrman

[Nachum]

Council "bin police" are punishing hundreds of households with bigger fines than those given by police to shoplifters, it can be revealed.

Councils are issuing fines of up to £110 for such infringements as putting their bins out for collection at the wrong time, over filling bins, or putting recycling into the wrong boxes Photo: ALAMY

Figures obtained by The Sunday Telegraph have revealed that local authorities issued more than 1,240 fixed penalty notices last year for breaking rules on recycling and putting out rubbish.

Councils are issuing fines of up to £110 for such infringements as putting their bins out for collection at the wrong time, over filling bins, or putting recycling into the wrong boxes.

[Palladin]

Sounds like Bloomberg’s NYC Sanitation Police.

[Jim Robinson]

Garbage nazis. Garbage collection should be left to private companies who would gladly compete for the business.

[TASMANIANRED]

When you can’t control the criminals, you criminalize the law abiding.

[Longbow1969]

Hard to believe people are being issued citations and fines for how they throw their garbage away.

This is what the West has come to. We had a good run, but the self loathing and loss of confidence in our way of life has led to this.

Anyone who believes people should be fined for what bin they toss a soda can into should be strung up by their toes.

[steve86]

I really think the UK deserves anything wicked coming its way. Parts of the U.S, too.

[Nachum]

Garbage nazis. Garbage collection should be left to private companies who would gladly compete for the business.

Can't have that now, can we? Government knows best. Nothing to see here. Just move along.

[Think free or die]

""People pay a lot to their councils, and they do not deserve to be bossed around by petty officials in return. Some councils seem to have forgotten that they are there to serve the public, and that means being flexible and helpful, not oppressive and money-grabbing." "

Sounds like a Tea Party patriot on the other side of the pond.

[ClearCase_guy]

Anyone who believes people should be fined for what bin they toss a soda can into should be strung up by their toes.

Don't worry. That day fast approaches. I've got rope.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

The Brits got the government they asked for. They bitch about the consequences but don’t want to give up the perks.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

The Brits got the government they asked for. They bitch about the consequences but don’t want to give up the perks.

[Jack Hammer]

In the People’s Republic of England, Big Brother is watching you.

And he’s coming to the US, too...

[Longbow1969]

Don't worry. That day fast approaches. I've got rope.

I so hope it happens in my lifetime.

[GingisK]

...And he’s coming to the US, too...

The Limeys have nothing with which to shoot....

[Salvation]

Garbage collection fees and fines. Aren’t the fees high enough?

[FReepaholic]

Bike shop owner is fined by council...for not producing any rubbish

[Trillian]

No matter what you do, they fine you. What a horrible government.. too many of those in the world.

[FourPeas]

As well as the fines, local authorities have issued 24,914 official Statutory Notices last year threatening householders with fines. A further 45,010 warning letters were also sent out pointing out breaches in bin and recycling rules.

Sooooo...in order to Save The Planet, they used nearly 70,000 pieces of paper (not to mention envelopes, ink, stamps, gas to transport all this paper around to the offending householders,...) to gripe about the way people bin their trash. Yeah, that makes sense.

[Lurker]

"Did you really think we want those laws observed?” said Dr. Ferris. “We want them to be broken. You’d better get it straight that it’s not a bunch of boy scouts you’re up against... We’re after power and we mean it... There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced or objectively interpreted – and you create a nation of law-breakers – and then you cash in on guilt. Now that’s the system, Mr. Reardon, that’s the game, and once you understand it, you’ll be much easier to deal with.” - Ayn Rand, ‘Atlas Shrugged’ 1957

[Scotswife]

awesome quote.

bump