Stoke-on-Trent City Council is advising residents they are able to leave a maximum of two additional black bags next to their grey bin on scheduled collection days only.

Any black bags containing domestic waste must only be presented alongside the grey bin no earlier than 7pm on the evening before your collection and no later than 6am on the day of your collection.

This comes after the city council has seen numerous examples of, what is perceived by residents as 'legitimate' bagged side waste, being left out for days in advance of the scheduled bin collection day - this is illegal dumping.

This illegal dumping attracts further dumping, rats and other animals and the contents of the bags are soon strewn across a wide area causing health and safety issues for residents.

Any household domestic waste should be put in a normal-sized refuse sack (LDRS).

Anything left for collection other than black bagged domestic waste, such as mattresses, head-boards or fridges for example, constitutes illegal dumping.

Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for environment and enforcement said: "This message is another positive step in tackling the issue our neighbourhoods face each day. We want residents to take pride in where they live, and it starts with eradicating illegal dumping.

"It is simple, if it can't fit in a normal-sized refuse sack and it isn't household domestic waste, it can't be taken by our refuse collectors. If it is left out days in advance of the collection day, it will be treated as illegal dumping and a fixed penalty notice will be issued.

"We know the majority of dumped waste is coming from residents, but we can't do it all. Clearing illegally dumped rubbish comes at a cost to the taxpayer. We need residents to take ownership and know illegal dumping is a crime which blights their own communities and the environment."

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