Enforcement officers have announced that they will be “out in force” for the annual festival, as many companies try to use Guy Fawkes night as a guise for fly-tipping and illegal waste incineration.
 Waste burning on unlicensed land in Theale, November 2002 |
The agency is particularly reminding companies that burning materials such as plastics, aerosals, oils and rubber tyres is not only illegal but can cause serious damage to the environment.
Marin Brocklehurst, head of waste strategy at the Environment Agency, said: “Anyone plotting to fly-tip waste on community bonfires or illegally burn waste beware. Burning wastes such as plastics and demolition waste is against the law and those who disregard the rules are not only harming the environment but risk a hefty fine and damage to their reputation.”
The Environment Agency said that one skip hire company was found burning 15 articulated lorries worth of waste including metal, plastics and polystyrene during in November 2002 and 2003, creating thick smoke over the M4.
The company and one of its employees was ordered to pay 20,000 in fines for unlawful keeping and disposal of waste.
However, the Environment Agency stressed that legitimate bonfires organised at homes and charity and village events were not affected.
Mr Brocklehurst said: “We want to ensure people enjoy bonfire night and at the same time make sure all bonfires are legitimate and have as little impact as possible on air quality and our environment.”
Register for free to comment