AN urgent warning has been issued over handing your rubbish to incorrect "disposal officers".
Householders are being reminded that you can face a fine by failing to dispose of waste responsibly.
Anyone who hires an unauthorised waste carrier can be fined for using an unlicensed disposal operator.
Illegitimate businesses who carry out work to remove unwanted items and rubbish from are known to go on to fly tip garbage.
One resident recently received a fine of £274 for failing to dispose of 12 bin bags correctly.
Their rubbish handler unlawfully dumped the waste on green space.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: "Fly tipping is a blight on our communities and has serious environmental consequences.
"Therefore, as a local authority we can and will fine householders who haven’t taken the responsible steps to ensure their waste is passed to an authorised waste carrier.
"We urge residents to remind themselves of their household waste disposal responsibilities and avoid being fined."
How to avoid hefty fines for throwing away Christmas rubbish
Several sites at supermarkets and in car parks offer recycling for reasonable amounts of cans, glass, paper and plastic.
If they are full don't be tempted to leave your trash next to it as you could be issued a penalty for fly-tipping.
You can also be fined up to £400 for dumping the wrong waste too.
North Hertfordshire Council has issued a similar warning that residents face a £400 fine for fly-tipping if they don't dispose of their rubbish in the right way.
The amount each local council can fine you varies, but it's usually in the hundreds of pounds.
Meanwhile you could also be fined for dumping your Christmas tree on the street.
Many councils offer kerbside recycling, but you need to follow the rules.
For example in Islington, London, there are specific points to drop your tree between January 2 and 17.
If you leave it somewhere else, you could face a fly-tipping fine.
Some areas accept real Christmas trees disposed in garden waste bins, at recycling centres, or you could try planting it for using again next year.