The fire at Greenleaf Recycling Ltd’s site first broke out on 31 August, the Agency says, and Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service FRS attended the scene to bring the fire under control.
Following advice from the fire service, there has been a “controlled burn” of the remaining waste wood on site, the Agency says. This has continued to generate “low level” smoke and odour in the area.
Now the burn is “under control”, Greenleaf Recycling will start to extinguish the fire today after further advice from the fire service.
Agency officers will “closely supervise” Greenleaf Recycling’s work, “to ensure there is minimal impact on the environment to bring this incident to a conclusion.”
This operation is expected to take a few days. The Agency says it may cause a temporary increase in smoke and odour from the site until the fire is completely extinguished.
Letsrecycle.com contacted Greenleaf Recycling for comment.
‘Clean waste wood’
Formed in 2012, Greenleaf Recycling operates a green waste disposal centre at its Lane Farm site and also sells compost. At the site, the company, which is a member of the Renewable Energy Association, accepts leaves, hedge cuttings, branches and grass cuttings.
The material on fire at the site is “clean waste wood”, the Environment Agency says, “which poses a low risk to health and the environment.”
However, the Agency has still advised people nearby to keep their windows and doors closed.
The Agency says the green waste composting activities at the site are authorised by an environmental permit it issued to Greenleaf Recycling.
Subscribe for free