During the summer months, it's normal for wheelie bins to fill up faster with grass cuttings, food waste and other seasonal rubbish. But warmer temperatures also speed up decomposition, leading to unpleasant smells that can attract pests – and, in some cases, even result in complaints from neighbours.
Below, we explain why bins become especially smelly in summer, when the issue could lead to enforcement action, and the simple maintenance task that can help prevent it.
Why do waste bins smell worse during the summer?
The season’s hot weather creates the perfect conditions for food waste and garden debris to decompose quickly, producing strong odours long before collection day arrives.
‘With fortnightly collections and paid-for garden waste services becoming increasingly common, household rubbish, leftover food, grass cuttings, compost and other debris can be left sitting for weeks at a time, creating the perfect recipe for unpleasant bin odours,’ says Jack Malnick, managing director of Sell House Fast.
The issue can become even more noticeable during the school summer holidays, when families spend more time at home, naturally generating more household waste.
‘Rotten food and grass cuttings are among the biggest culprit for smells, with the clippings producing a sour “silage” smell and mouldy food attracting lice, maggots, and rats,’ Jack explains.
Can a smelly waste bin lead to a fine?
While an unpleasant bin alone won't automatically result in a penalty, persistent odours that affect neighbouring properties can become a legal issue.
‘You're at risk of being fined for having a smelly bin after a significant number of neighbour complaints,’ says Jack. ‘Bin smells can be labelled as “statutory nuisance” under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, where the smell is either interfering with people's ability to open windows or use their garden or being harmful to health.’
If a council investigates and agrees there is a statutory nuisance, it will usually issue a notice requiring the problem to be resolved. ‘A council order will be served telling you to fix the problem, and fines will come into consideration further down the line if action is not taken,’ Jack explains.
Unlimited fines can be dealt and fixed penalty notices issued for continued poor waste control. These FPNs can be anywhere between £60-£200, depending on how soon you pay it and the council area you reside in, while a court date could cost you thousands if it escalates that far.
What can I do to prevent a smelly waste bin?
The easiest way to prevent lingering smells is to give your wheelie bin a thorough rinse after every collection, before fresh waste starts building up again.
As well as cleaning the bin itself, there are a few other simple habits that can make a big difference throughout the warmer months.
‘To reduce bad smells, keep the bin lid closed and out of the sun, then layer waste with twigs and other materials where possible,’ advises Jack. ‘It is also important not to overfill it, so air can circulate.’
If you're on the receiving end of unpleasant odours from a neighbouring property, be sure to speak to them first before escalating the issue. Then, if the smell persists, log a complaint to your local council instead. From here, you will likely be asked to keep a diary of smells and other notes and information towards the case.
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