Residents in Rother are concerned after garden waste bin stickers began disappearing from properties in the area.

The problem was flagged by Andrew Bantock on social media, alerting locals that identification markers showing a household had paid the £70 fee for its brown bin to be emptied by Rother District Council were being removed.

He warned that individuals were taking the stickers from garden waste containers, noting that offenders could pocket the £70 saving if no verification occurs, though he observed the stickers must remain visible at the property boundary on collection days with no obvious solution to prevent removal.

The markers, attached to garden waste receptacles, are currently being discontinued by Rother District Council in favour of a digital registration process.

The council announced that from Friday 28th March 2025, fresh or replacement stickers will no longer be distributed for garden waste bins.

Uncertainty persists and some locals fear the thefts could enable others to dodge the £70 disposal charge.

Marie Winson pointed out that the stickers contain no address details, meaning anyone could remove them and affix them elsewhere, and waste collection staff would remain unaware of the mix-up.

Potential prevention methods suggested include inscribing stickers or bins with a cross or house number until the system is retired.