Avoid a costly mistake: Learn how this simple bin act could cost you $312!

As we all know, keeping our neighbourhoods clean and tidy is part of being a responsible community member.

However, did you know that something as simple as leaving your bin out could lead to a hefty fine?

That's right, folks—in some parts of Australia, not adhering to council bin collection rules could hit your wallet hard.


In the Port Adelaide Enfield council area of Adelaide, residents are now facing the possibility of a $312 fine if they leave their empty bins out on the street for too long after ‘bin night’.

This has sparked a debate among locals, with some worried about the financial burden of such a fine, especially for those who might forget to bring their bins in due to busy schedules or simple oversight.

The council has set clear guidelines for bin management: bins are to be placed out after 4 PM the night before collection and must be removed by no later than midnight the following day.


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Adelaide residents risk a $312 fine for leaving their bins out too long after rubbish collection. Credit: Shutterstock


It seems straightforward, but life can sometimes get in the way. Hadi Jafari, a resident of the area, expressed his concern, noting that coordinating the bin schedule with his siblings has been challenging.

With the threat of a fine looming, he said they would now ‘pay extra attention’ to avoid the penalty.

‘Three hundred dollars for a fine is really hard for people to afford. It is really a lot of money,’ he said.


It's important to note that the council isn't issuing fines left and right.

Mayor Claire Boan assured residents that the warning letters sent out are ‘rare’ and only under ‘exceptional’ circumstances.

‘If a letter has been issued to say, “Hey, you haven't brought your bin in regularly on request,” then an inspector would go past and check after midnight so that there's no more bin litter on the street,’ she explained.

Mayor Boan suggested that complaints from a neighbour probably triggered the council's letters and admitted that it's the first time she's ‘ever heard of this happening’.

‘Generally, it would be a neighbour complaining that someone has left their bin out, and at that point, they would issue this letter,’ she said, adding that a fine ‘could happen’.


While the residents who received the warning letters were not fined, the possibility remains if the issue persists.

This isn't an isolated case either. Back in 2018, many councils in Queensland implemented similar laws, with fines reaching up to $2,500 for leaving bins out 24 hours after collection.

It's a stark reminder that council by-laws are there for a reason, and it's our duty to comply with them.

The Port Adelaide Enfield council has been contacted for a comment.


As local councils tighten their grip on waste management practices, residents are increasingly questioning the rules surrounding rubbish disposal.

The recent warning from a council threatening hefty fines for seemingly minor bin infractions has sparked conversations about what constitutes acceptable waste practices.

This has led many to reflect on their own habits, with one mother’s revelation about her rubbish bin tactics igniting a lively debate on whether these methods may actually be illegal.
Key Takeaways
  • Residents in parts of Adelaide face a $312 fine for leaving their bins out too long after rubbish collection night.
  • The Port Adelaide Enfield council requires bins to be placed out after 4 pm the night before collection and removed by midnight the following day.
  • Reminder letters have been issued to some residents, warning them of the potential fine for not adhering to the bin schedule.
  • While the issuance of warning letters is 'rare' according to the Mayor, the fines embody a serious incentive to comply with local waste management by-laws.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you ever forgotten to bring your bin in? Do you think these fines are fair? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below!
 

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At 84 and 87 years old and a 30 mtr uphill driveway we find it difficult to put the bins out and bring them back in. Especially if it raining as well.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: Liz
At 84 and 87 years old and a 30 mtr uphill driveway we find it difficult to put the bins out and bring them back in. Especially if it raining as well.
Won't your council make allowances for you and the garbage man come in and get them. I have a neighbour who is elderley and the bin man goes down her driveway and hauls both ordinary and yellow bins up. Might be worth a phone call to your local Council.
 
I’m lucky 99% of the time my neighbour brings mine in ,My concern ( as our day is Monday ) people put bins out Friday RED FLAG no ones home for the weekend and same RED FLAG if it’s still there after Tues .One of the sad things these days people don’t get aquatinted with neighbours now
 
The local Council here would make a fortune if the implemented this and followed up on it.😎
 
  • Haha
Reactions: magpie1
Reasons people can't collect their bins could be illness or disability, or an emergency taking them away from home after putting the bin out, which is what happened to me. The article clearly states that they get a warning letter first, so a simple reply to explain will fix the problem. However, if it's just laziness, then perhaps a three strikes you're out rule could apply.
One thing though, when the garabage collector accidentally spills some waste on the pavement and just drives away, does he get fined? Mmm!
 

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