A piece of cardboard blowing about in a street in Haringey led to the local council trying to fine a couple £600.
An address label identified Francesca Poncetta as the source of the litter found at the base of a tree near her home a couple of days after the recycling bins were collected.
Ms Poncetta said she always ripped boxes apart before putting them in the bins and she believed heavy winds carried it during the collection.
Haringey Council said residents should dispose of their household waste responsibly, but in this case it has cancelled the fine.
Ms Poncetta and her partner Pierce Rosamond received a letter to inform them of a £600 fine because they had failed in their duty of securing their waste.
She said: “I’ve done all of my duties as a citizen, to dispose of my waste in my household. This does not feel fair at all.”
Mr Rosamond added that the couple “don’t have spare money to be throwing around”, and said living in London with its high rent, the amount was “not something we can just pay in a month and think ‘oh that’s fine.'”
A Haringey council spokesperson said: “There are occasions when notices are issued incorrectly, and residents can challenge the decision as was the case here.
“After considering the information provided, we will be cancelling this fixed penalty notice.”