Residents warned not to burn household waste in bonfire season

Bonfires are not an excuse to burn household rubbish, warns the Environment Agency. 

The burning of most types of waste is illegal because of the air pollution it causes. Burning waste can carry a fine of up to £50,000. 

The Environment Agency is asking people who are planning to have a bonfire to be careful about what is being burned and to keep it secure before burning. 

Sam Pickard of the Environment Agency said: ‘Bonfires are not to be used for a seasonal clear-out of your rubbish. It is not an excuse to get rid of difficult to dispose of rubbish by burning it yourself or asking others to do it for you.

‘We want to encourage people to make sure they dispose of their waste legally and safely at their recycling centre or through their doorstep collections. And if you are responsible for a bonfire, when you are doing your checks for wildlife also look to see if anyone has added rubbish to your bonfire.’

Torridge District Cllr Philip Hackett, Lead Member for the Environment, Health, Wellbeing and Community Safety added: ‘While bonfires may be a traditional part of the festivities around this time of year they can pose significant risks and impact on our climate.

‘We recommend people attend an organised event instead of having their own bonfires but if they decide to light their own fires they should make safety a priority and not burn any hazardous materials. Recycling is a much more environmentally friendly way of disposing of unwanted wood and other materials.

In related news, earlier this year Air Quality News investigated the air pollution impact of burning waste. 

Photo by Joshua Newton