Leon Wright has refused to pay a £150 fine for putting his rubbish out a few hours early, arguing that the penalty contradicts official government guidance and reflects rigid enforcement by Richmond Council.
A homeowner in East Twickenham has been fined £150 for placing his rubbish out too early, sparking a dispute over the fairness and application of local waste disposal rules. Leon Wright, 40, found an enforcement notice on his doorstep after returning from his honeymoon, having left his bins out a few hours before the council’s stipulated time. The council requires that rubbish bags be placed outside only after 8pm on the evening before collection, but Mr Wright had set his out at 3:25pm on the day of collection—about four and a half hours early.
Mr Wright, who lives above a row of shops in the area, explained that putting the rubbish out was the last task he did before leaving for his trip. “I never thought they would send fines straight away. It was literally just a few hours before the collection window,” he said. Upon his return from a cruise honeymoon, he found the fixed penalty notice issued by Richmond Council demanding payment within ten days, which was impossible given he was away at the time.
Feeling the fine was unjust, Mr Wright is contesting the charge, arguing that it contradicts government guidelines. "It says in black and white on the GOV.UK website that you can't issue penalties for leaving bins out a few hours early, which is exactly what they have done,” he said. He added that the bins weren’t obstructing pedestrians, suggesting the penalty was “a blatant cash grab.” Mr Wright has made it clear he does not intend to pay, vowing to take the council to court if necessary, emphasising: “It is not the money but the principle.”
Richmond Council stipulates that rubbish should not be put out before 8pm on the evening before collection. This rule is intended to prevent obstruction of public pathways and to keep the environment tidy and safe for all residents. The council offers a formal process for disputing penalty notices, encouraging residents to contact them if they believe fines have been wrongly issued. However, according to Mr Wright, his appeals have been refused.
The fine was issued under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which prohibits leaving litter in any place open to the air, a measure aimed at maintaining public cleanliness. Under Section 88 of the same Act, fixed penalty notices can be issued for breaches of this law, enabling local authorities to enforce waste management policies and promote cleaner public spaces.
Government guidance on household waste collection emphasises the need for clear communication between councils and residents about collection times in order to maintain public health and safety. While local authorities have the power to enforce these rules, the case raises questions about whether the penalties are being applied with sufficient flexibility or discretion, particularly in circumstances such as brief, non-obstructive early placement of bins.
As it stands, Mr Wright’s challenge highlights a storm of frustration among some residents regarding the rigidity of waste disposal enforcement and casts a spotlight on the balance local councils must strike between regulation and fairness.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no prior reports found. The Express article is dated July 8, 2025, and no earlier publications on this specific incident were identified. However, similar cases of fines for early rubbish collection have been reported in other areas, such as Richmond, BC, where residents are fined for placing garbage carts out before 7:30 a.m. on collection day. ([richmondbc.org](https://www.richmondbc.org/services/recycling-garbage/garbagecollection.htm?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that while the specific incident is new, the issue of early rubbish collection fines is not unique. Additionally, the article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([richmond.gov.uk](https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/waste_and_recycling/bulky_items_and_other_waste_collections/book_a_bulky_item_collection?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The direct quotes from Leon Wright and Richmond Council are unique to this report, with no identical matches found in earlier material. This suggests the content is original. However, the quote from Mr. Wright referencing the GOV.UK website may be based on prior information, as similar guidelines have been available for some time.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Express, a UK-based tabloid newspaper. While it is a reputable organisation, its tabloid nature may affect the depth and accuracy of reporting. The article includes references to official sources, such as the GOV.UK website and Richmond Council's guidelines, which adds credibility. However, the reliance on a single outlet for the narrative raises some uncertainty.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims about Richmond Council's waste disposal rules and the fine issued to Mr. Wright are plausible and align with known regulations. The council's guidelines stipulate that rubbish should not be placed out before 8 p.m. on the evening before collection. ([richmond.gov.uk](https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/waste_and_recycling/bulky_items_and_other_waste_collections/book_a_bulky_item_collection?utm_source=openai)) The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. Additionally, the tone and language used are consistent with regional reporting standards.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a plausible and original account of a homeowner in East Twickenham being fined for early rubbish collection. While the Express is a reputable source, its tabloid nature and reliance on a single outlet for the narrative introduce some uncertainty. The lack of supporting coverage from other reputable outlets and the recycling of older material in the article are notable concerns. Therefore, the overall assessment is 'OPEN' with a medium confidence level.
