Wiltshire residents have been warned they could face a fine or be prosecuted for fly-tipping if they are found depositing their household waste in public litter bins.

Household waste is collected every two weeks in Wiltshire, and residents have access to a waste collection calendar detailing all household waste, recycling, and garden collection dates.

The household waste bin should be used solely for rubbish that cannot be recycled.

Excess waste that does not fit in the bin should be bagged and taken to a household recycling centre.

This waste must not be placed in litter bins, dog bins, or other public bins, and doing so could lead to a fine of up to £1,000 or possible court action.

Councillor Nick Holder, cabinet member for highways, flooding, and street scene, said: "The misuse of litter bins in this way still constitutes fly-tipping, which is the illegal disposal of rubbish on public or private land.

"Residents should only put their bagged, non-recyclable waste into their designated wheelie bins to be taken as part of their normal roadside collection, both for the benefit of the environment and to reduce the cost.

“Alternatively, if any resident has excess household waste that they wish to dispose of, they can make use of our household recycling centres.”

The warning follows an incident involving a Calne resident who was handed a £1,000 fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping domestic waste.

Wiltshire Council's environmental enforcement officers received a report of waste dumped on the pavement at The Green, Calne.

After an investigation, the waste was traced back to the resident, who denied placing it on the footpath, and instead claimed to have placed it in the public litter bin.

Councillor Holder said: "As this resident found out, our officers will take action and issue penalties for all forms of fly-tipping."

The litter bins on The Green are provided by Calne Town Council for park users to dispose of their general litter.

As the town council is not authorised to collect household waste, anyone who puts household waste on the pavement or in the litter bin would face a fine.

The collection cost from these bins is significantly higher than household waste collection, as household waste vehicles are larger and capable of compacting the waste.

Recycling from a general litter bin is also not feasible, as these bins often contain dog waste and other such items.