East Ham man fined £80 for putting rubbish in his own bins

The bins are over-flowing and used for fly-tipping (Image: Archant)

Neville Shute, who lives on the Wallsend Court estate in East Ham, was given the fine by council enforcement officers as he tried to throw his rubbish bags in the estate’s outdoor bins, which are used by fly-tippers to dump their rubbish.

He said: “It’s like a mountain. There’s nowhere to put your waste because the whole thing is overflowing.

“I had two refuse bags with me but the bin was full, so I just dumped them down.

“They’ve not given everyone else a fine. That’s a bit unfair. How come they’re only fining one person?”

The two outdoor bins are meant to serve the estate’s 21 apartments while the old rubbish chute is not working.

CCTV cameras have been installed to catch any fly-tippers, but Mr Shute is the only person who has so far been punished.

The fly-tipping has reportedly included trucks dumping “tonnes of onions” in the bins and damaging the pavement.

Newham Council said they have installed an extra bin, which will be emptied twice a week with the others, and said the estate’s private management company is fixing the rubbish chute.

A spokeswoman said: “We have asked the private management organisation to do more to deal with litter and fly-tipping at this block.

“We have also written to residents reminding them to dispose of their waste responsibly.

“If the bins are full they can place rubbish bags on the kerb of Barking Road when timed collections are due to take place.”

She added: “We work hard to keep Newham clean and tidy. There are alternative ways to dispose of waste and recycling, including free bulky waste collections.

“There is no excuse for unacceptable behaviour and people could face enforcement action if they deliberately flout the rules.”

The council declined to comment on Mr Shute’s fine.