In a regulatory position statement (RPS) published on 2 November the Agency issued advice to people who want to burn waste at traditional events such as Guy Fawkes bonfires and Scout and Guide campfires.
The RPS states: “Uncontrolled and excessive burning of the wrong wastes can cause pollution and harm human health. You should avoid burning wet wood. Wet wood creates more smoke than dry wood.
“If you follow the conditions in this RPS you can burn waste at traditional events such as Guy Fawkes’ bonfires and Scout and Guide campfires without an environmental permit for a waste operation.”
The Agency says the RPS will be reviewed by 31 January 2023.
In January the Agency published an RPS saying people who burn waste at traditional events should not burn wood which has been painted or treated with preservatives (see letsrecycle.com story).
Rules
To comply with the RPS, the Environment Agency says event organisers must:
- only burn waste at traditional events such as Guy Fawkes bonfires and Scout and Guide campfires
- keep the waste secure before they burn it
- only burn waste that is suitable for burning, for example wood that is visibly clean and has not been painted or treated with preservatives, branches and leaves
- only use card and paper in quantities necessary to start the fire
- make sure the size of the bonfire or campfire is appropriate for the event
The Agency says event organisers must not:
- burn unsuitable wastes such as plastic, rubber, glass, oils or metal
- get the waste for burning from a waste management facility
- hold the bonfire or campfire at a waste management facility
Organisers are also reminded by the Agency that the waste must not endanger human health or the environment before, during or after burning. The Agency says organisers must not cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals, cause a nuisance through noise or odours, or adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest.
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