Two Gwendraeth Valley men have been fined by magistrates for not complying with Carmarthenshire County Council’s recycling scheme.
Jason Paul Larkin and Lee Charles Holland from Maes Y Wern in Carway appeared before Ammanford Magistrates Court charged with an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in a prosecution brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The court heard that the council’s contact centre had received numerous complaints about rubbish at a property in Carway.
The council’s environmental enforcement officers visited the house on a number of occasions and found there was a large quantity of both blue and black bags at the property, but the blue bags contained non-recyclable items, and were also being put out for collection on the wrong week.
A warning letter was sent but the problem continued and a notice was served ordering the householders to comply with the recycling scheme, however, Larkin ripped up the paperwork and became aggressive towards the officers, Holland was also present and started shouting abuse.
A fixed penalty notice was then served, but despite a number of attempts to get both Larkin and Holland to go to the council’s depot for an interview, the pair failed to turn up.
Larkin, aged 23, and Holland, aged 22, both pleaded guilty at court and magistrates fined the pair £170 and ordered them to pay £200 in prosecution costs.
The council says it hopes that this case will act as a warning to other householders that if they fail to comply with the council’s kerbside recycling scheme they too will be prosecuted.
Head of Street Scene David Hughes said: “The majority of residents co-operate fully with the council’s recycling scheme, however, there us a small minority that refuse to take part or deliberately put the wrong materials in their bags or put them out on the wrong week.
“If householders make a genuine mistake then they will receive advice and no action will be taken, but persistent offenders will be prosecuted.
“Carmarthenshire, like all local authorities, must reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and increase its recycling rate or face hefty fines. The co-operation of householders is vital.”
For further information on the council’s green bin/blue bag recycling scheme visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.
