Binmen refuse to empty wheelie bin because of stray teabag

Binmen refused to empty a disabled pensioner's carefully sorted recycling waste because it was 'contaminated' by a stray teabag.

They left Donald MacKenzie flabbergasted after leaving a note saying his wheelie bin would not be unloaded as it contained 'food waste - t-bag'.



Mr MacKenzie, from Blackburn, received the note on Tuesday. He complained to Blackburn with Darwen Council but was told he should not have left out food.

The council's Peter Hunt said: 'Food waste can cause contamination that results in whole truckloads of recyclables having to go to landfill, so we do have to be careful.'