A mother who left her daughter's toy kitchen outside her home with a "free to collect" sign has been fined £500 for fly-tipping. Anna Karamiseva, from Windsor, Berkshire, was stunned after the council deemed it a "criminal offence."
Council Enforcement Action
Ms. Karamiseva noted that the fine is reduced to £150 if paid within 14 days. She said, "I wrote an email of apology to the council and explained it wasn't litter." Councillor Alison Carpenter commented, "I understand many people are trying to dispose of items responsibly. However, residents should be aware that leaving items on the pavement, even temporarily for collection, can be treated as an obstruction and may result in enforcement action."
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council stated that enforcement officers acted after an item was left on a public footpath for several days.
Varying Rules Across England
Different local authorities have different rules. Rushcliffe Borough Council explained, "Leaving household items in these places can be classed as fly-tipping and could result in a fixed penalty notice, even if the intention is to freecycle. All unwanted waste, such as furniture, white goods, garden refuse and rubbish bags must be stored on the property of the owner or in a skip that is licensed to be in a public area before ensuring it is disposed of lawfully."
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick also suggested that leaving unwanted furniture outside for free collection constitutes fly-tipping. He added, "If you are disposing of waste make sure the person doing it for you is a reputable person because you will be subject to the fine, or sanction. If it is subsequently found it is your stuff which has turned up where it shouldn't be... it's not only the carrier, but the person who has employed the carrier."
Public Reaction
Neighbour Jo Jeer criticised the decision, saying, "This makes my blood boil. A warm-hearted resident's daughter has outgrown her toy kitchen, so it's left outside the property for another family to pick up and give hours of fun to a younger child. But the council jumps at the chance to make money and criminalise the thoughtful mum who was just trying to recycle the toy and think of others. It's so obvious that this toy kitchen is not waste, or dumped rubbish. It was not blocking the pavement in any way. It just highlights the madness of red-tape loving zealots poisoning this country by targeting hard-working middle-class families. When will the madness stop."
