Bath and North East Somerset Council is warning this week that as of next Monday, any resident putting out excess rubbish in bags next to their bin could be fined up to £60. As part of a change to fortnightly collections at the beginning of last November, residents were issued with one black bin or bag, but B&NES are finding that despite using the new bins, some households are continuing to pile up extra rubbish.

The changes were brought in to help the local authority save money, but some residents, especially those with large or young families, had expressed how difficult it would be to keep two weeks’ waste down. The Council had been dealing with individual cases, but now says that efforts will be stepped up to deter unnecessary additional black bags being left out by some households.

A huge amount of recycling was collected over the Christmas period, with the local authority having to put on extra staff and vehicles to catch up.

Figures show, on average, that a phenomenal 51 tonnes per day more recycling was collected during the Christmas period than over the same time last year.

Whilst thousands of households are now on board with the new service, some properties are still putting out extra waste bags with their black bins and B&NES says this has to stop. From Monday, 15th January, the Council will not collect the excess rubbish placed next to black bins and any properties which continue to put out extra rubbish may be fined as much as £60.

The Council is reminding everyone that there are no limits to the amount of recycling households can put out for their weekly collection and if extra green boxes, blue bags or food waste bins are needed, they can be ordered.

Councillor Bob Goodman (Conservative, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods said: “We are already increasing recycling, and with this effort our recycling rate may be amongst the highest in the country. We are encouraging residents and helping to achieve a goal.

“The more we recycle, the more space we have left in our wheeled bins. We don’t want to fine people, but a warning is there, so please do the right thing and don’t put extra black waste sacks out because we can’t collect it.

“The new service has been designed to increase the amount collected for recycling and evidence is showing that this is already happening. As well as being much better for the environment, it also helps to make the collection service better value for money.”

The council is also reminding residents general rubbish should all fit inside the wheeled bin or re-usable rubbish bag provided by the council and that the lid should be down to avoid birds and animals getting into the bin.

To order extra recycling containers, readers can visit: www.bathnes.gov.uk/orderacontainer or Council Connect: [email protected]" TARGET="_blank">[email protected] 01225 39 40 41. Containers can also be picked up from the recycling centres and the One Stop Shops in Midsomer Norton and Keynsham. Recycling can go in alternative containers while households wait for containers to arrive.

Anyone who is concerned about producing excess rubbish can find out more about what can and cannot be recycled at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/wasteservices and the Recycle for Bathnes Facebook page: www.facebook.com/recycleforbathnes which is full of useful and unusual tips and advice on recycling and reducing waste. Residents can also take any excess rubbish to one of the Council’s three recycling centres.

Residents who are concerned about keeping their neighbourhood clean and tidy may be interested in Bath and North East Somerset Council’s information pack for residents called ‘Friends of our Street’ which can be found at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/friendsofourstreet