Households using a wood burner or burning bin in their garden could face fines of up to £50,000 if they burn the wrong type of wood, experts have warned.
With Bonfire Night approaching, many people are expected to head into their gardens to celebrate. However, Mark Hall of BusinessWaste says that burning materials such as old furniture, scrap wood, or household waste releases toxic fumes and fine particulate matter, which can enter the lungs and bloodstream, worsening air quality and posing serious health risks.
Pollution and Legal Risks
Research shows that garden waste bonfires can produce up to 30 times more particulate pollution than burning logs in a wood burning stove. The Environment Agency also warns that unregulated burning contributes to local air quality problems.
Hall stresses that the Environment Agency has warned that illegally burning waste can result in fines of up to £50,000. Local authorities can also investigate complaints about excessive bonfire smoke, and where a statutory nuisance is established, councils can issue abatement notices, with fines possible if these are ignored.
The Environment Agency has previously run campaigns warning people not to “burn a hole in their pocket” by lighting illegal bonfires, while fire services across the UK report sharp rises in related incidents.
What You Can and Cannot Burn
If you are hosting a bonfire, stick to clean, dry materials only. Bonfires should never be used as a way to dispose of waste.
Here is what you can burn:
- Dry, untreated, unpainted wood
- Small amounts of plain paper or cardboard for kindling
- Dry garden waste such as twigs, leaves, and small branches
Here is what you should not burn:
- Painted, varnished, or treated wood
- Household rubbish, furniture, plastics, or packaging
- Rubber, tyres, or foam materials
- Wet or green garden waste that creates heavy smoke
Expert Advice for Safe Bonfires
Mark Hall, commercial waste management expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, said: “Every year we see people lighting bonfires with whatever rubbish they can find, from plastic packaging to old furniture. Burning these materials can be illegal, and it is also dangerous to neighbouring houses and public health.”
“Most people don’t set out to break the law, but they often don’t realise that burning household waste counts as illegal disposal. If it produces dark or chemical smoke, you’re risking a hefty fine and serious environmental harm.”
“If you’re hosting a bonfire this year, use clean, dry wood only and keep it well away from trees, fences, or sheds. If you’re unsure how to safely dispose of waste materials, check your local council’s collection service or recycling site instead of burning it. You’ll avoid fines, protect your health, and help improve overall air quality, which is beneficial for everyone.”
“Remember, if you wouldn’t safely breathe it in, you shouldn’t be burning it. So dispose of waste properly and enjoy Bonfire Night safely without putting your community or the environment at risk.”
