Bonfires
We do not recommend burning of green garden or other
waste, recycling is a more preferable way of
disposal.
Recycling Furniture and Electrical Goods
Furnishing materials and household refuse contain many
constituent materials which are unsuitable for burning.
Instead if it can be repaired, contact Furniture Re-use Network who
collect unwanted furniture for distribution to people in
need. They also accept electrical and white goods that can be
repaired and re-used.
The FRN
promotes the re-use of unwanted furniture and household effects for
the alleviation of need, hardship, distress and poverty.
Alternatively many charity shops are only too pleased to take
smaller items of furniture, bric-a-brac and clothes which can be
reused.
We also operate a Bulky Collection service for the removal of
bulky household items.
Bonfires
It is a common misconception that bonfires are only allowed at
certain times of day. It is not against the law to have
bonfires, but the smoke must not cause a statutory nuisance.
Where people use common sense bonfires are not usually a
problem.
If there is no other alternative:
The number of bonfires should be kept to a minimum and the
following 'Good Practice' is recommended to anyone contemplating
having a bonfire:
Before Having a Bonfire
Check if:
- People are out in their gardens
- Have their washing on the line
- Have windows open
Do's
- Notify neighbours of your intention to burn so they can close
windows or remove washing from clothes lines
- Check the prevailing wind direction and try to burn when the
wind will carry smoke away from neighbouring properties
- Everything to be burned should be tinder dry, this way it will
burn quickly and cause little if any smoke. This should
prevent complaints
- Ensure the fire once lit is kept under supervision and should
be completely extinguished before being left
Do Nots
- DO NOT burn until an hour before dusk
- DO NOT burn on hot and humid nights (people could be sleeping
with the windows open)
- DO NOT burn plastics
- DO NOT burn foam filled furnishings due to risk of dark smoke
and offensive fumes
- DO NOT burn household refuse as many constituent parts are
unsuitable for burning
- DO NOT burn rubber
- DO NOT burn foam
- DO NOT burn conifers
- DO NOT burn damp material like grass
Where we are satisfied a statutory nuisance is occurring we will
serve notice prohibiting its recurrence. Establishing the
existence of a nuisance usually requires an Officer to witness the
smoke nuisance at the time.
The Code of Practice for garden bonfires does not exclude any
person from their legal liabilities under Section 80 of the
Environmental Protection Act 1990. Anyone lighting a bonfire
should ensure that no nuisance is caused to neighbours by smoke,
burning particles or odour and that the bonfire is sited so that it
reduces the likelihood of nuisance.
Warning
All householders are responsible for ensuring their waste is
disposed of under the new Duty of Care Regulations and passed to
authorised carriers only. Householders should check that
waste carriers other than the Council who remove household, garden
and building waste have an Environment Agency waste carrier
number. If they are not registered do not use the
service. If they claim to be registered call the Environment
Agency on 08708 506506 and request an instant Waste Carrier
Validation Check or look online at:
If fly tipped rubbish can be traced back to the household where
it originated the householder rather than the waste carrier could
be fined up to £5000.
Burning Of Commercial Waste
In addition to the law of nuisance it is an offence to produce dark
smoke from industrial or trade premises.
- Action can be taken under the Clean Air Act 1993 for dark
smoke.
- The fine is up to £20,000.
- Incidents of industrial waste burning are reported to the
Environment Agency who may prosecute under their legislation.
This webpage was updated on 11/12/2007