Since the introduction of new waste management rules in October, Bath’s central business district has seen 41 fines issued to establishments failing to comply. Bath and North East Somerset Council, led by the Liberal Democrats, mandated that businesses label their waste with their name and store it in specially designed gull-proof bags. Additionally, businesses were prohibited from placing their evening waste out before 6pm—a shift that sparked strong opposition, especially from shop owners whose staff typically finish work at 5pm.
Previously, shops could set out bins for evening collection anytime between 5pm and 8:45pm. The revised window now restricts this to between 6pm and 8:30pm. The Council’s own analysis warned that this change could cost businesses over £3,000 annually in additional wages for employees to stay late to comply with the new timing.
The rule faced criticism from backbench councillors who called for a review during its proposal, leading to a council scrutiny panel hearing last year. Despite party-line votes dismissing the call-in, the panel requested a follow-up report on the policy’s impact.
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Data reveals that initial rule breaches were widespread, with 61 businesses failing to label waste and 43 placing it out at the wrong time in the first week. By the seventh week, violations dropped dramatically, with just a single occurrence of each. Enforcement teams prioritized “targeted education,” including tagging unlabelled waste, verbal reminders, and warning letters about potential fines.
Out of approximately 1,126 central Bath businesses affected, 80 formally objected to the rules before implementation, and 21 have lodged complaints since. The forthcoming report will be discussed at the council’s climate emergency and sustainability scrutiny panel meeting on July 9 at Bath Guildhall.