New Forest man Lee Reynolds handed £1k fly-tipping fine for leaving cardboard box next to overflowing Tesco bin
A New Forest man was left “shocked” after being fined £1,000 for leaving a cardboard box next to an overflowing recycling bin outside Tesco.
Lee Reynolds said he felt physically ill after receiving the enforcement notice days later.
Mr Reynolds, who recently moved into his home, took some cardboard boxes to nearby community recycling facilities.
But when he arrived at Tesco in New Milton, Hants, he found bins overflowing and waste strewn across the floor.
New Forest District Council, Hants, claims its bins are emptied three times a week, but photos show all four are full of rubbish.
Mr. Reynolds placed his box neatly in front of the trash can and collected nearby trash.
But less than a week later, he received a fly-tipping ticket for “illegally dumping waste outside a designated recycling facility.”
He received a maximum fine of £1,000 for this offence.
Mr Reynolds, 53 and working in export control, was followed after leaving his address on the cardboard box.
The “law-abiding resident” objected to the penalty and was told that because the waste was “out of control” the penalty would be transferred to the crime of “failure to control household waste”.
He was told the new fine would be £300, reduced to £150 if paid before July 3.
“Containers were filled to overflowing and there was no capacity for additional cartons,” Mr Reynolds said.
“I did not see any instructions or signage against leaving recycling next to full containers – if there was signage it was not visible due to the volume of waste already present.
“After checking all the containers and finding no space, I placed my bin neatly and securely in front of the corner bin without obstructing access, and also picked up any nearby rubbish to leave the area as tidy as possible.
“I am a law-abiding resident and have never been subject to any fines or penalties by the municipality or any other authority.
“Therefore, the notification came as a shock, especially since it was my intention to recycle responsibly.”
A spokesperson for New Forest District Council said: “Recycling containers at this site are emptied three times a week and are intended for residents to dispose of small amounts of recycling waste.
“Residents can also recycle from home using green lid recycling bins.
“The council may also collect a small bundle of cardboard placed next to the green lid recycling bin on the scheduled collection day, provided it is flattened and left out in dry air.
“For larger amounts of recycling, residents are encouraged to use one of their local Household Waste and Recycling Centers (HWRCs) in Marchwood, Efford or Somerley.
“While we recognize that many residents are keen to recycle and dispose of their waste responsibly, it is not easy to place waste next to full containers at community recycling sites.
“Fly throwing and failure to control household waste is a crime and is not only unsightly but also causes environmental hazards. It can also lead to additional costs for the council, for example where waste becomes contaminated and cannot be recycled.
“We have seen an increase in fly-tipping in this area and we are trying to address this through education and awareness.
“Prior to this incident, on May 20, 2026, the site was redesigned and additional signage was installed.”
