People who repeatedly leave their bins out for collection the wrong days are set to be hit with £100 on-the-spot fines.

The new policy, approved by Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday, could see repeat offenders given fixed penalty notices if prior warnings are unheeded.

The move follows concerns that such containers were blocking pavements and causing a safety hazard as well as being unsightly.

As a result, the council will now undertake a county-wide promotion campaign to raise awareness of the waste and recycling arrangements.

This will include “QR code” stickers being placed on boxes and bins to allow 24-hour reminders of waste collection days and what items can be recycled.

However, there will also be a particular focus on Bangor, with officers acknowledging the heavy student population and differing demography to the rest of the county.

Cllr Catrin Wager, the portfolio holder for Municipal Services and who represents the city’s Menai ward, told Tuesday’s meeting in Caernarfon that the new policy had been designed to tackle the issues raised “whilst also being fair,” stressing that fines would only be used as a “last resort”.

“There have been concerns in some communities for some time about bins and recycling boxes being left out on the street throughout the week, obstructing pavements and generally having a negative effect on how communities look,” she said.

“In some areas, bins left out for days after collection can cause a real issue for parents with prams and disabled people who have to go out into the highway due to bins blocking pavements.

“After a detailed investigation by members of the council’s Scrutiny Committee, we aim now to encourage residents to make the best use of the waste and recycling collections we offer, and to tackle some specific problems.”

See this week’s Meirionnydd edition for the full story, in shops and online now