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A Guernsey mother has spoken out after receiving a shocking fine of £11,500 for accidentally disposing of batteries in her household rubbish. Krystal Ogier explained that the 23 AA batteries, which were inside children’s toys, were mistakenly thrown away during her family’s move. The penalty was imposed by a private waste company, Island Waste, and although the original fine of £500 per battery was later reduced to £1,000, Ogier said the financial burden was still significant.
Ogier expressed her distress when she was informed about the fine, describing the moment as overwhelming and heartbreaking. She acknowledged that she was aware batteries should not be discarded in the one-tonne waste bag she had ordered online, but did not realize the toys containing the batteries caused the issue. “My head exploded, I was sobbing on the phone,” she said, conveying the emotional toll the situation had taken on her.
Despite accepting responsibility, Ogier criticized the penalty rates as excessive and called for clearer communication from Island Waste. She argued that customers should be explicitly warned about the fines in “big red writing” when arranging refuse collection services online. “The reason we moved out of the property was because it was getting so expensive. So when you get that added cost on top, it’s soul-destroying,” she explained.
From the company’s perspective, Island Waste’s director, Faye Grime, emphasized that customers were clearly informed about the disposal rules and penalty fees. Grime pointed out that the company’s website featured prominent messages about battery disposal safety, including a mandatory box for customers to confirm they had reviewed the waste acceptance criteria. She highlighted the serious risk batteries pose in waste sites, stating, “The consequences of a battery fire can be catastrophic for a waste site, rapidly spreading and causing risk of injury to people, damage to property and the environment.”
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