Exeter to prosecute over alleged contamination by resident

The council, who's local MP is recycling minister Ben Bradshaw, is to take Donna Challice to court for placing items in her recycling bin not accepted at the councils materials recycling facility.

” We have nowhere else to go, what else can we do? We have tried persuading, we have tried convincing “
– Mike Trimm, Exeter city council
Although other local authorities in England, such as the London borough of Barnet, have begun to run compulsory recycling schemes this is the first time that a case has gone all the way to court. Ms Challice faces a 1,000 fine if she is found guilty.

Mike Trimm, head of cleansing at Exeter, told letsrecycle.com: “We have nowhere else to go, what else can we do? We have tried persuading, we have tried convincing.”

The case will be heard at Cullumpton magistrates at 12pm on Monday May 22, although national newspapers have reported that Ms Challice is not planning to turn up. However, if she continues to no show the courts can proceed in her absence.

Contamination

Residents contaminating their recyclables bin will be sent a warning letter telling them the items that can be put in the bin, following further inspection a second letter is sent out before education officers visit the household. If a resident continues to contaminate after that the council will take legal action under section 46 of the Environmental Proection Act.

Although Exeter runs this three strikes scheme, it is believed that Ms Challice has received as many as ten warnings – both written and verbal.

Tins, paper, cardboard and plastic is accepted in Exeter's kerbside recyclable scheme – it also claims that residents need walk no further than one kilometre to get to a glass bring bank.

Dirty nappies, a dead kitten and a vast number of hypodermic needles are just a few of the items that have been found in recyclable collections. Although Mr Trimm stressed that this was what was found in the bin in general not specifically Mrs Challice.

Mr Trimm said: “You don't have to be a brain surgeon to realise that dirty nappies and
Old take away trays don't go in the recycling bin. If someone doesn't understand know how much simpler we can be.”

Warnings

Ms Challice's prosecution is not the only case that Exeter is embarking on and Mr Trimm said that the council were following up about 15 cases in total. Although he did point out that in 2005 around 1,500 first warnings and 300 second warnings were sent out.

Exeter provides kerbside collections to 100% of its residents – either through an alternate weekly wheeled bin scheme, a recyclable box or sacks depending on the type of household they live in.

The council achieved its 2004/05 recycling rate and Mr trim added: “Many of our residents clean out their tins and break down their boxes and that has enabled us to reach a high level of recycling. It is not fair for their hard work to be ruined by one or two residents putting contaminants in their bins.”