Hefty fines of more than £100 mistakes such as leaving a bin-lid open have been cut under changes to the law brought in by Defra. New rules that came into effect on 30 May reduce the maximum fines under the fixed penalty notice system that councils can give out to householders for overfilling their bin or accidentally putting their rubbish out an hour too early.

The fines have been reduced from a maximum of £110 to £40 for early payment.