Bonfires can be great fun and are one way
to dispose of garden waste. There are no laws against having a bonfire, but
there are laws for the nuisance they can cause.
You can't get rid of household waste this
way because it causes pollution which is illegal. Plastics are the most
problematic as they may contain cyanide, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and
other halogenated (containing chlorine and fluorine) substances to name a few.
Burning plastic smells really bad and can release extremely cancer causing
dioxins into the air effecting wildlife and humans alike. Rubber and painted
materials are equally as toxic when burnt, in fact burning anything adds to air
pollution which is especially bad for asthma sufferers.
If smoke is allowed to drift across the
road, you could be fined. Also an abatement order may be served if bonfires
regularly cause a nuisance to neighbours followed by a fine
of up to £5000.
So to have your bonfire and stay friends
with neighbours, it's best to check the wind direction, don’t burn anything
other than dry garden waste and always watch out for hibernating creatures.
Alternatively, and these are the best
options by far, garden waste can be used to make wildlife habitats or turned
into compost at home or via the council's brown bin collection.
By a concerned neighbour
(name & address supplied)
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