Waste collectors are to look through public bins in a crackdown on residents who put household rubbish in them.

South Gloucestershire Council says some people are “regularly” throwing waste from their homes in street litter bins – particularly in Thornbury, Frampton Cottrell and Kingswood – which is an offence that can result in a hefty fine.

The measure, which aims to identify the culprits and take enforcement action, is part of a new 10-year waste strategy recently approved by the cabinet. A 14-week public consultation on the new strategy has been launched today.

The 44-page document says: “In some areas of South Gloucestershire, litter bins are being used for the disposal of household waste.

“This results in overflowing bins and has a major negative effect on the appearance of our streets.

“We will not tolerate households using litter bins for household waste, as the bins fill up more quickly, resulting in more litter being dropped on the floor.”

It adds: “Where education has not been effective, our collection teams will investigate the contents of household waste in litter bins to identify who is responsible and take appropriate enforcement action.”

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: “We provide public litter bins across the district for items that people need to dispose when out and about.

“They should not be used for disposing of excess household waste as they don’t have the capacity for this and if people fill them up in this way, they cannot serve the purpose for which they are intended.

“Households struggling with waste can contact the council who can provide advice and extra capacity, where appropriate, and or give advice on recycling if part of their surplus is recyclable."

The report to cabinet said the council would review the location of its 1,000 street bins, as well as the types of bin it provides “as advances in technology may enable us to better manage our schedule to empty” them.

Lib Dem Cllr Tony Davis asked at the meeting: “Why doesn’t South Gloucestershire provide public recycling bins?

“Can a cabinet member explain what advances in technology we are waiting for, as mentioned in the report?”

South Gloucestershire Council waste and cleansing group manager Kristy Spindler replied: “We are looking at rolling out recycling on-the-go to South Gloucestershire.

“There is new legislation we’re expecting in the next year around deposit return schemes which may see bottles and cans no longer disposed of through the litter bins, so we’re waiting to see how that pans out."