Council warns residents over poor recycling effort

A UK council has told local residents who dump their recycling in bags that they could face prosecution.

Officials from Bolsover District Council in north Derbyshire have called time on people who collect all their recycling in plastic bags, only to go and discard it in recycling centres and next to council bins. A report by Sheffield's Star newspaper said the council has told residents to either recycle properly and use the facilities provided or face the risk of prosecution.

The council's cabinet member for the environment, Dennis Kelly, said: "People are taking the time and trouble to go to the recycling sites only to dump their rubbish at the side of the recycling containers."

Even if people take their recycling to an authorised council site, if it is not disposed of properly they are technically fly-tipping. Penalties include a fine or a possible custodial sentence for the most serious offences.

Along with bags of items for recycling, residents are regularly dumping items including microwaves, carpets and beds.

Councillor Kelly said: "We want to provide a clean and green environment that is free from litter and fly tipping for our residents to enjoy, but when we come up against acts such as this we are fighting a losing battle."

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