A warning has been issued to anyone with a garden waste bin as one mistake could result in a £5,000 fine. Adding anything that “contaminates” a garden waste bin could lead to a £100 fine, while adding invasive species may end up costing £5,000, according to BusinessWaste. There are several non-native plants that are classed as invasive species by the Government.
Some common ones are: Himalayan balsam, giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, rhododendron ponticum, and New Zealand pygmyweed. You should identify if any of these are on your property and never put them into your garden waste bin.
The fines for improperly disposing of these plants can soar to a huge £5,000 for individuals and £20,000 for companies. In extreme cases, you could even be prosecuted for environmental harm.
If you find any invasive species, you may need to use a licensed waste carrier to get rid of them.
Most local councils will have online rules about what you can and can’t put in your household garden waste bin.
Graham Matthews, waste management expert at BusinessWaste, said: “When it comes to invasive species, unless you’re a keen gardener, you might not even be aware of their presence. It’s therefore vital to learn what characteristics to look out for.
“Council garden waste collections are a great way to ensure you dispose of any plant material in the most environmentally friendly way and keep your neighbourhood tidy.
“But rules are often in place for a reason. Usually this is to protect the environment or prevent harm coming to waste workers, so it’s important to follow them closely.”
Other common items must be disposed of in different ways, such as soil, animal waste, and food waste. Putting any of these in your garden waste bin at home is classed as contamination.
In the first instance, most councils will issue a warning, but repeat offences can be fined up to £100. If you continue to ignore this, the council will likely suspend your service altogether.