Quirky News
Man fined for putting rubbish in bin
A litter-picking enthusiast who spends an hour of his own time each day tidying up rubbish was stunned to be fined £75 for putting refuse in a bin.
Council officials accused David Baker, 39, of Stourbridge, West Midlands, of fly-tipping, reports the Daily Telegraph.
They said he had used a public street bin to deposit a pizza box and junk mail - considered as "domestic waste".
The former geologist has gathered tonnes of rubbish dropped by strangers over the last six years, winning awards for his efforts.
He described his fine as "bureaucracy gone mad" and said the council seemed so "desperate for money" it would fine anybody.
Mr Baker said: "I think that it is completely outrageous that I should be fined for actually cleaning rubbish off the streets.
"How can people who actually want to put rubbish in the bin be fined? To claim that what I put in the bin amounts to fly-tipping is crazy.
"I moved to a town centre flat six years ago and got fed up with all the rubbish in the street.
"I am out at least an hour every day and do it all for free. I just think the council are desperate for money and have a mentality of fining people for anything at the moment."
Councillor Tracy Wood said: "Our enforcement officers issued a fixed penalty fine to Mr Baker in Stourbridge, after they found his domestic waste and letters in the litter bin on a number of occasions.
"However, we will be reviewing the fine and speaking to Mr Baker directly to discuss it."
what do you think?
The_Grim_Weeder
Many thanks for supporting me! Much Appreciated! Dave Baker
Juliecrumpton1234
Well done! :-)
Adrian Wagstaff
I'm going to say what I think, then read everyone elses' comments after. I think, I can see how the council are thinking that he might be over using a public bin. Those bins are probably designed for lots of people to use and he is almost like spam-emailing a public rubbish bin with all his found rubbish and his own. Their complaint seems to be he's using their public bin too often to the detrement of other users. I would guess most people will agree with the litter collector. Reading. Oh? I dunno. Did they really have to fine him, instead of just send a letter?
Nat_j2b
This country needs more people like him,who are giving their spare time to make our towns look a bit nicer. Shame on that person who handed him the fine!
Callum McGrath
the council should be people littering not the other way round
Dave Harrison
Callum. It is easier to target the law abiding rather than the law breakers. Ask your friendly local police
jane cumming
I agree with adrian.obviously the council just repeatedly kept seeing him on camara and natrally came to the conclusion that he was fly tipping.very unfortionate i think.keep up the good work david.i wish we had someone round here like you.
shirley sutton
Then they wonder why towns and city centres are a mess no one dare use the bins
Kimberley Lamb
People are robbing houses , taking cars, beating up old ladies , attacking young children and the goes on and on , fining someone for using a bin ???????????? Madness !!!!!!!!!!!!
denis parsons
The councils pay people to think up rules like this.This ruling system stinks of corruption within the councils.
Neil C
Always has and always will
david roberts
Don't you just love the official response that seems to suggest that nothing wrong has happened but it will be looked into. Not surprising the workers below work as they do. Reminds me of an incident recently. When my recycle wheelie bin was full I put a box beside and it was all gone. My neighbour often does the same but not boxed. The last time the bin was emptied but the box left. I contacted the council who said that it should have been in a clear bag and that it should not have been collected before - if the operative was caught doing it he/she would have been sacked.
Juliecrumpton1234
Madness! Anyone else realise we are all doing bin men's work for them? Fed up with smelly waste containers!
Emma Doolallytap
unBELIEVABLE. Poor man. Stupid Council can't say i'm at all surprised by their display of crass stupidity whatsoever.
GillieLouise
Stourbridge council to be awarded the Jobs worth hat!!!!!!! How stupid is this story.?
Louisa Gieldon
Stupid, stupid, stupid! I do the same in my street almost every day. Mind you, i put it in a plastic bag as i can't remember the last time i saw a bin round here.
RayMcGlynn
Of course you can't sack council officials.
movvi
If he is out an hour every day doing this, then hats off to the guy and the fine should be withdrawn immediately and an apology issued. Why, though, was he dumping his own waste in the public bin? And, for that matter, why isn't he allowed to anyway - it's a BIN! I think I need to have an early night. Things are not making sense! Ha ha ha.
hugh japenos
"Councillor Tracy Wood said: "Our enforcement officers issued a fixed penalty fine to Mr Baker in Stourbridge, after they found his domestic waste and letters in the litter bin on a number of occasions." So were the letters addressed to him, or just mailshots? no-one with any sense would dispose of personal information in a public bin. These fines are for littering, though; fly-tipping is a separate offence. If you risk being fined for putting fast food packaging in a litter bin, why bother? Or if you pick up something from the street then drop it again, are you guilty of littering? probably. maybe next they'll try to fine the trees for dropping leaves...
Simon .
12:31pm on 2/11/2012
jobsworth!