Be careful what you burn this bonfire night

Photo: Sam Kutereba-Wall

Be careful what you burn this Bonfire Night

The Environment Agency is wishing everyone a happy, safe bonfire night. However organisers are being urged to be vigilant, to prevent waste from being dumped illegally on their bonfire.

Some people use bonfire night as an excuse to burn old furniture, mattresses or even household rubbish.  The Environment Agency is reminding people it is illegal to burn many types of waste and setting fire to treated wood, tyres, plastics, rubber and oil can seriously harm people’s health and pollute the environment.

Organisers and households should only burn clean, non-commercial waste, so if you’re organising a bonfire night make sure you know where the bonfire material has come from and that it is suitable.

Individuals may face fines of up to £50,000 for illegally disposing of waste as part of a fire.

Nigel Glasgow, Environment Manager for Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, said: “We want people to enjoy themselves but the uncontrolled burning of waste materials such as plastics, rubber and treated wood, can cause pollution and damage people’s health.

"We encourage people to make sure they dispose of their waste legally and safely, and be aware that their community bonfire could be targeted by unscrupulous waste businesses who want to find somewhere to dispose of their waste.”

Organisers should ensure that they know where the bonfire material has come from and it is suitable. If anyone sees any suspicious activities they should contact us on 0800 80 70 60 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers.

More information and guidance on materials which are safe to burn on a bonfire and further information for organisers of bonfire and firework events can be found at

• www.gov.uk/government/publications/celebrating-bonfire-night