The council has just issued five Fixed Penalty Notices of £200 each following inspection of just one communal bin on Bernard Street in Leith.
This is part of an ongoing effort by the council and their compliance officers to identify any businesses who do not have trade waste collection contracts in place. In the case of the bin on Bernard Street it was found that it filled up more quickly than any other bin in the area. On closer inspection three quarters of the contents were found to be from businesses nearby.
More than half of the businesses checked in recent weeks have been found to break the rules on dealing with their waste.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “We have focused phase two of Our Edinburgh on the Leith Walk area as it’s been identified as a hotspot for overflowing bin complaints and it’s becoming clear why.
“Communal bins are meant for residents’ household waste so it’s unacceptable that businesses are abusing the system, which undoubtedly results in overflowing bins, litter and fly-tipping.
“That’s why this campaign aims to provide information and advice to businesses in order to ensure they have the right waste collection arrangements in place, as well as penalising those that continue to break the rules.”
A further five fixed penalty notices will now be issued in relation to three bins on the corner of Balfour Street and Leith Walk.
Our Edinburgh is a campaign launched in the summer with big bins with brightly-coloured branding and ballot bins encouraging people to vote with their cigarette butts on topical questions.
Find out more about the Council’s waste and street cleansing services online, including information for businesses.
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