This morning, we were surprised to see a story on the front page of the Advertiser regarding fines for leaving bins out, which singled out the City of PAE. We wanted to take a moment to clarify the facts.
The City of PAE empties over 4.8 million bins every year and the majority of residents remove their bins from footpaths after collection. In the past 5 years, the City of PAE has only issued 4 fines for bins not being removed after multiple warnings, that’s just 4 fines out of 24 million bin pickups over those 5 years.
Most councils have a bylaw in place regarding the removal of bins from footpaths within a reasonable timeframe. This is because when people do not remove their bins from footpaths, it can result in impediments to people being able to use the footpath for walking, people with prams, people in wheelchairs, incorrect use of bins and contamination, and it can also impact vehicle and emergency access on streets.
PAE receives over 200 complaints annually in relation to bins on streets. In response to complaints, PAE will contact residents to advise them of the requirement to remove bins from footpaths. There are circumstances where bins are not removed and remain for extended long periods on the footpath and in these cases, we follow up with the residents to ensure they remove the bins, however as a final resort expiations may be issued.
Under the City of PAE Waste Management Bylaw, bins can be placed out after 4pm the day before collection and must be brought in before midnight on the day following collection.