Natasha Sheldon Lane, 35, has been summoned to an ‘interview under caution’ over accusations of ‘unlawful depositing of waste’
Andrew Forgrave Countryside and tourism editor
08:55, 03 Oct 2025
The Aldi store in Flint where Natasha collected her parcel(Image: Google)
A mother is facing potential fly-tipping charges after disposing of a small parcel’s envelope in a public bin after collecting it from an Aldi collection point. Natasha Sheldon Lane, 35, has been summoned for an “interview under caution” following the discovery of the parcel’s plastic envelope in a public waste bin.
She had opened the parcel on Duke Street, Flint, to ensure the correct order had arrived before discarding its non-recyclable wrapper into a black bin. The incident slipped her mind until she received a letter from Flintshire Council’s environmental enforcement team.
The letter accused her of the “unlawful depositing of waste” under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and requested her presence for an interview with an environmental crime officer at the council’s Alltami depot. Natasha was informed that she could bring a solicitor, but at her own expense, according to North Wales Live.
However, as a full-time carer for her youngest child, aged 13, who has additional needs, she is unable to travel to the depot. Consequently, a crime officer was due to visit her home on Thursday, according to North Wales Live.
“I spoke to the officer this morning,” she shared. “He told me I could be facing fly-tipping charges with a £300 fine. He said he also has discretion to impose a £75 littering fine instead. If I could afford a solicitor, I would be fighting this all the way.”
“I’d have been better off throwing it on the floor. My only crime was being honest and law-abiding – placing the envelope in the bin and then admitting I’d done so.”
The Duke Street black bin is in a residential area(Image: Google)
Natasha continued: “What’s happened is completely ridiculous. It’s causing unnecessary stress to someone who only tried to do the right thing.
“What’s worrying is that council staff are rifling through public bins in the hope of catching someone out. How much is this costing? The council is always complaining it has no money yet it can afford to do this.”
According to Natasha, she was told she was being held responsible for the entire contents of the black bin as her item was the only rubbish found inside with an address label.
“The officer told me I was the fourth person to be investigated for this offence this week,” she said.
Natasha has come forward, hoping to warn others about the dangers of rubbish disposal.
Despite her plastic wrapper being marked as non-recyclable for household bins, she later discovered it could have been voluntarily taken to “soft plastics” recycling containers at supermarkets and Co-op stores.
A section of the letter Natasha received from an environmental crime officer(Image: Submitted)
This also covers items like crisp packets and bread bags that can’t be recycled in household bins. “It’s really sad that people are being targeted who are only trying to do the right thing,” she said.
“I understand there are some items that shouldn’t be put in a public bin.
“But a non-recyclable plastic parcel wrapper? Where’s the common sense in that? The most annoying thing is that I live nearby and I can see this bin from my house. Every day I see older people sitting down nearby to read their letters – will they be targeted too?”. When Natasha shared her experiences online, it sparked a public outcry.
The situation was further inflamed by rapidly rising council taxes, decreased rubbish collections and a fly-tipping crisis that left some back streets choked with discarded furniture and household items.
She added: “I will probably have to accept the £75 littering fine as I can’t afford a fly-tipping charge. In this day and age, who can afford these kinds of spurious fines? It will have to come out of my carer’s allowance.
“I worry that some people will have to go without eating just to pay off these fines. It may be too late for me to do anything about it. But I hope that by highlighting what has happened to me, it will help stop others falling into the same trap.”
Flintshire Council stated it was “currently investigating this matter”. Katie Wilby, chief officer for Streetscene and Transportation, added: “As it is an active investigation, it is not appropriate to comment further at this stage.”
On its website, Flintshire Council clarifies that under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is illegal to dispose of household or business waste in public litter bins. The council further explains: “Public litter bins are provided only for waste produced when you’re out and about, and bagged dog waste.
“They should not be used for disposing of domestic or business waste. In town centres, these bins are emptied two to three times per day, and regularly in other areas.
“It is also a fly-tipping offence to leave any type of waste, including domestic and business waste, near a litter bin (e.g. black bin bag or shopping bag).
“If your waste is found to be dumped illegally, whether you know about it or not, you can be fined up to £5,000.”