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- Article 004


Garden Bonfires

The bonfire gets its name from the medieval bonfire of animal bones. While modern day bonfire ingredients may not be as gruesome, they still cause pollution and local nuisance. Here at the National Society for Clean Air we get many complaints about burning and we are delighted that many allotment societies use our information leaflet on garden bonfires to help spread the clean air message. Here's what we advise:

What's wrong with bonfires?

Air Pollution

Burning garden waste produces smoke, especially if it is damp and smouldering. This will contain pollutants including carbon monoxide, dioxins and particles. Burning plastic, rubber or painted materials not only creates an unpleasant smell but also produces a range of
poisonous compounds. Your bonfire will also add to the general background level of air pollution. Air pollution in the UK often reaches unhealthy levels - do you really want to make it worse?

Health Effects

Emissions from bonfires can have damaging health effects. Serious harm is unlikely if exposure to bonfire smoke is brief. However problems may be caused for asthmatics,
bronchitis sufferers, people with heart conditions and children.

Annoyance

The smoke, smuts and smell from bonfires are the subject of many complaints to local authorities. Smoke prevents your neighbours from enjoying their gardens, opening windows or hanging washing out, and reduces visibility in the neighbourhood and on roads. Allotments near homes can cause particular problems, if plot holders persistently burn waste.

Safety

Fire can spread to fences or buildings and scorch trees and plants. Exploding bottles and cans are a hazard when rubbish is burned. Piles of garden waste are often used as a refuge by animals, so look out for hibernating wildlife and sleeping pets.

What's the Alternative?

Composting

Rather than burning garden waste or putting food waste in the dustbin where it will end up buried or incinerated, a compost bin will produce a useful soil conditioner, saving money on commercial products. Woody waste can be shredded to make it suitable for composting or mulching;

you can buy or hire shredders and some allotment societies have their own. If using a shredder, be considerate - they can be very noisy. Take care not to replace one nuisance with another.

Advice on composting is available from your local authority or the following:

Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AZ. Tel: 01654 702400

http://www.cat.org.uk

Henry Doubleday Research Association, Ryton Organic Gardens , Coventry , CV8 3LG.
Tel: 024 7630 3517. Email: enquiry@hdra.org.uk

Recycling

Household waste should certainly not be burned on a bonfire. Many items can be recycled;

Find out about recycling facilities from your local council. Garden waste should not be mixed with other household waste. Ask your local authority what services they offer. Some local authorities provide larger 'wheelie' bins and allow garden rubbish to go in them. Waste can be taken to the local amenity site or your local authority may collect bagged rubbish free of charge. Old beds and sofas are not suit­able for burning - some councils and voluntary groups collect old furniture for repair and re-use.

Bonfires and the Law

It is a common misconception that there are specific bye-laws to prohibit bonfires - there aren't. An outright ban would be difficult to enforce and very occasionally a bonfire is the best practicable way to dispose of gar­ den waste. If used sensitively, the occasional bonfire should not cause a major problem.

However, where a neighbour is causing a problem by burning rubbish the law is on your side. Under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990, a statutory nuisance includes "smoke, fumes or gases emitted from premises so as to be preju­ dicial to health or a nuisance". In practice, to be considered a statutory nuisance, a bonfire would have to be a persistent problem, interfering substantially with your well being, comfort or enjoyment of your property.

If bothered by smoke, approach your neighbour and explain the problem. You might feel awkward, but they may not be aware of the distress they are causing and it will hopefully make them more considerate in the future. If this fails, contact your local council's environmental health department. They must investigate your complaint and can issue a nuisance abatement notice under the EPA. The Act also allows you to take private action in the magistrates' court. The NSCA factsheet "Pollution, Nuisance and the Law" explains the legal position in more detail. If the fire is only occasional it is unlikely to be considered a
nuisance in law. Similarly, if you are being troubled by bonfires from different neighbours, each only burning occasionally, a nuisance action would be difficult as there are several offenders. In this situation encourage them to consider the alternatives - give them a copy of this leaflet!

Finally, under the Highways Act 1980 anyone lighting a fire and allowing smoke to drift across a road faces a fine if it endangers traffic. Contact the police in this case.

Barbecues

Barbecues can also cause a smoke problem - especially if using lighter fuel. Again, be
considerate. If you are having a barbeque, tell your neighbours. Don't ignite it when they've got their washing out, and if it's windy check smoke won't blow straight into neighbouring properties.

But I like Bonfires...

A bonfire can be a convenient way of getting rid of a large amount of waste, or perhaps you want a bonfire just for fun - on Guy Fawkes night for instance. If a bonfire is the most practicable and environmentally friendly way to dispose of dry garden waste (for example, diseased plant material that cannot be composted) warn your neighbours - they are much less likely to complain.

Remember that bonfire and barbecue parties can cause noise as well as smoke.

Bonfire Guidelines

If a bonfire is the best practicable option for disposing of garden waste, follow these guidelines and the chances are you won't annoy your neighbours or cause a serious nuisance.

Only burn dry material. Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres, or anything
containing plastic, foam or paint. Never use old engine oil, meths or petrol to light the fire or to encourage it.

Avoid lighting a fire in unsuitable weather conditions - smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days and in the evening. If it is windy, smoke may be blown into neighbours' gardens and across roads.

Avoid burning at weekends and on bank holidays when people want to enjoy their gardens. Avoid burning when air pollution in your area is high or very I high. This information is I included in weather forecasts, or you can check by ringing 0800 | 556677.

Never leave a fire unattended or leave it to smoulder - douse it with water if necessary.

National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection.

Tel: 01273 878770 Fax: 01273 606626
Web: www.nsca.org.uk

Email: info@nsca.org.uk

(Leaflets available at £7.50 per 100 which includes post and packing)

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