A woman from Bournemouth was left "shocked" after receiving a £500 fine for fly-tipping, following her attempt to give away an IKEA cabinet by leaving it outside her home for passers-by.
Isabelle Pepin, a graphic designer and artist, told Sky News that she had placed the medium-sized cabinet, which had been used in her son's room, against her front wall, hoping someone might take it.
After five days, a council officer informed her that leaving the cabinet there was a problem, prompting Pepin to move it back onto her property and later dispose of it. However, three weeks later, she was handed a £500 fine for fly-tipping.
"I was really surprised when a man with an enforcement camera knocked on my door, read a caution speech, and issued me the fine," Pepin said. She is currently appealing the fine, which was issued by a third-party enforcement company contracted by Bournemouth Council.
Pepin has received overwhelming support from her community, with some residents expressing surprise, as they had been leaving items outside their homes for years without realizing it could be considered fly-tipping. Several local councillors have also voiced support for her appeal.
Bournemouth Councillor Kieron Wilson defended the council's stance, stating that action on fly-tipping helps maintain community pride. Since April 2023, the council has issued 73 fly-tipping penalty notices, with fines rising to £1,000 from April 2024 to align with government legislation.
Pepin hopes her appeal will be successful, arguing that leaving useful items for others is a sustainable way to recycle and reduce waste. "It's a nice thing to do for your community and a greener way to recycle, reduce, and reuse," she said.
