Domestic bonfires
Household waste should not be burned on a bonfire but should be recycled or disposed of through our weekly rubbish and recycling collections or our waste and recycling centres, as appropriate.
Examples of material that cannot be burned include:
- rubber
- tyres
- anything containing plastic foam
- paint including furniture or beds.
If a domestic bonfire persistently causes significant nuisance from smoke or ash, an abatement notice can be served under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (opens new window) section 80. Breach of an abatement notice is an offence that can result in a fine following a hearing at a Magistrates' Court.
Report nuisance (domestic) bonfires
Commercial bonfires
Businesses are required to ensure that their commercial waste is disposed of lawfully. The burning of waste on industrial and trade premises, which emits dark smoke, may be an offence under the Clean Air Act 1993 (opens new window) and can result in a fine following a hearing at a Magistrates' Court.
Examples of commercial material that cannot be burned include:
- plastics
- paint tins
- cement bags
- roofing felt.
Such material must be removed by a registered waste carrier to a licensed disposal site. Documentation in the form of waste transfer notes must be kept - these describe the waste, how it was stored, the person whom it was transferred to and where the waste was disposed.
Please note: If a commercial bonfire is happening now and dark smoke is being emitted, call 01895 556000 and an officer will attempt to visit the site.
Report nuisance (commercial) bonfires