Mum fined astonishing £11,500 for throwing away batteries incorrectly | Personal Finance | Finance

A mother was left distraught after she was handed an £11,500 fine for disposing of batteries incorrectly. Krystal Ogier, who was in the process of moving homes in Guernsey because it was getting “so expensive”, said her “head exploded” and she was “sobbing on the phone” when she was told she had to pay up the hefty amount.

Ms Ogier threw away 23 AA batteries that were inside children’s toys, but was unaware of the £500-per-battery charge issued by Island Waste, the waste management company she was using.

Island Waste worked with Ms Ogier to arrange payment of the fine, which has now been reduced to £1,000.

The mum explained that she was aware that batteries were not allowed to be thrown away in the one-tonne waste bag she ordered online, but did not realise that throwing away toys with the batteries inside them counted.

Island Waste said that it promotes safe disposal of batteries due to the fire hazard they pose, reports BBC News.

Faye Grime, the director of Island Waste, said: “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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While accepting her responsibility and acknowledging Island Waste’s system, Ms Ogier said the rates are “extortionate” and that the company should explain the fines in “big red writing” on its website.

The director stated that the company has bold messaging online, which explains the safe disposal of batteries. It also includes a box customers must tick to declare they have checked the items.

Ms Grime said that Ms Ogier had checked the box and accepted the company’s waste criteria, which outlines the penalty fee.