- September 30, 2026
Burning of Waste – a reminder
The Environment Agency has strict regulations on the burning of waste, whether it is set intentionally or occurs due to spontaneous combustion. Visit their website for more information:
https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2022/11/14/no-excuse-for-illegally-burning-waste/
| Examples of illegal burning of waste | What you should do instead | |
| A farmer burning farm plastics (such as silage wrap) or any other wastes generated on-farm | Download this farm plastic management advice sheet: Farm Plastic Management Advice Sheet – Preventing Plastic Pollution Join a farm plastic recovery scheme. Some councils also have special schemes to take this waste. | |
| A stable, burning horse manure | One option is to look for uses as horticultural manure or as agricultural fertilizer. Check the advice and guidance for disposing of horse manure: Keeping horses: Dealing with waste – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) | |
There really is no need to burn any waste. Not burning waste is better for the environment and safer for people. It is less costly to the public purse too, when less of our time and resources and that of the Fire Service is spent bringing illegal waste fires under control.
If you see any illegal waste fires, report them to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60, or anonymously to our partner, Crimestoppers: Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) 0800 555 111.
The EDDC website is also helpful:
PLEASE DO:
- Inform your neighbours.
- Burn only during the day.
- Locate the bonfire as far away from neighbours as possible.
- Have a small fire – it must be controllable and hot enough to burn with minimal smoke.
PLEASE DON’T:
- Have many bonfires – neighbours are more likely to complain if you often have bonfires.
- Burn the following: household rubbish, rubber, oil, green garden waste, animal bedding, plastic, tyres, foam or paint – these can produce potentially toxic dark smoke which is unacceptable and might be an offence.
- Leave a fire unattended or leave it to smoulder – douse it with water if necessary and make sure it is out and will not continue to smoke once left