Here's why you could soon be fined for not disposing of your rubbish correctly in Leeds

Leeds council have warned residents that failure to correctly sort their household rubbish could result in a fine.
Leeds council have warned residents that failure to correctly sort their household rubbish could result in a fine.  PIC: Stu Norton.Leeds council have warned residents that failure to correctly sort their household rubbish could result in a fine.  PIC: Stu Norton.
Leeds council have warned residents that failure to correctly sort their household rubbish could result in a fine. PIC: Stu Norton.

From next month, those who don't arrange for registered waste collectors to remove rubbish could receive a fine of £200.

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Earlier this year the government agreed to give local authorities the power to issue fixed penalty notices to individuals whose waste is illegally fly tipped because knowingly or not they has allowed an unauthorised person to take it away.

In Leeds the new rules come into effect from June 2019.

Local authorities already have powers to prosecute householders for this type of activity however these prosecutions are costly for the regulators and the court, and leave the householder with a criminal record which in some cases seems too severe.

The new powers to issue fixed penalty notices mean if a person's household waste has been found to have been disposed of illegally they could receive a fine of £200 (or £150 if paid within 10 days).

Councillor Mohamed Rafique, Leeds council executive board member with responsibility for environment and active lifestyles said: "It is very important that all householders understand their responsibility when it comes to removing and disposing of their rubbish.

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"When looking to get rid of larger items it is key to ensure that you speak to an authorised company or the council to help you remove the waste, otherwise you could land yourself with a fine.

"In educating and calling on residents and businesses not to unknowingly allow their waste to be fly tipped and to help identify the people they see committing this crime, we can all achieve so much more to help keep Leeds clean."

More information about fixed penalty notices can be found here.