A Reading grandmother has been hit with a substantial £600 penalty from the local authority after she placed a single cardboard box beside an already full recycling bin. Carole Wright, aged 83, now faces accusations of fly-tipping for this solitary act, which her family insists was an innocent mistake due to overflowing containers and her age-related forgetfulness.
Family describes devastating health impact
The situation has taken a severe toll on Mrs. Wright's wellbeing, according to her daughter Catherine. She reports that her mother has become withdrawn, is struggling to eat, and spends much of her time crying and staring at walls. "Her health has really declined since this all happened," Catherine explained. "I'm just so worried about her. She's such a lovely person – the best mum you could ever have."
Council investigation and family response
The controversy began when a contractor working on behalf of Reading Borough Council discovered the cardboard box and identified it as coming from Mrs. Wright's address. The council subsequently sent a formal letter warning of potential criminal conviction for fly-tipping if the matter wasn't resolved.
Catherine has made multiple attempts to engage with the authorities, including tearful phone calls and a visit to council offices by her brother. "I rang them and explained – I was in tears on the phone, saying this is really upsetting my mum because she doesn't know what to do," she recounted. The family feels they're being given contradictory information and sent in circles when seeking resolution.
Council statement on enforcement priorities
A spokesperson for Reading Borough Council defended their approach, stating: "Residents have told the Council that tackling litter and fly tipping is one of their top priorities, and we have a duty to all residents to investigate any incidences of fly tipping."
The council claims they requested further information from Mrs. Wright after discovering the box in October last year but received no response within their 30-day deadline. However, they maintain they remain "fully open to dialogue" and hope to resolve the case without further action if Mrs. Wright cooperates with their investigation.
Context of the incident
Mrs. Wright has lived in the area for 57 years without any previous issues with authorities. Her daughter emphasizes that her mother has "never done anything wrong" and "committed no crimes" throughout her long residency. The family attributes the incident to practical circumstances – the recycling bins were completely full at the time, and Mrs. Wright, who will soon turn 84, sometimes becomes forgetful.
This case raises broader questions about how local authorities balance enforcement of environmental regulations with consideration for vulnerable residents and practical realities of waste disposal. The substantial fine for what the family describes as a single cardboard box placed beside an overflowing bin has sparked concern about proportionality in council enforcement actions.
