UK Laws on Burning Rubbish in Your Garden
As waste accumulates in your garden or garage, it can be tempting to pile it up and burn it. However, be aware that if you do burn rubbish in your garden, you could be breaking the law.
Here’s the Zero Waste Group guide to laws on burning rubbish in your garden, including what time you can have a fire.
Burning rubbish in your garden: a better way
Firstly, we do not advise that you burn household waste in your garden. If you do decide to burn rubbish in your garden, please do so safely and responsibly. Make sure that the fire is contained so it cannot spread.
Don’t cause a nuisance to your neighbors, and in fact, tell them beforehand so they can close windows or bring washing in from the line.
Also make sure to check with your local council to see if there are any specific regulations or restrictions on burning waste in your area.
If in doubt, please contact us for a quote to remove your garden rubbish. The majority of rubbish we remove is recycled and diverted away from landfill, making it more environmentally friendly than a potentially toxic fire.
Our team could be with you on the same day. Here’s how our garden rubbish removal service works.
Is it legal to burn rubbish in your garden?
In the UK, it is illegal to burn household waste in your garden if it will cause pollution or harm people’s health. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 and is an offence under the Clean Air Act 1993. Laws prohibits the burning of household waste in an open space, except in certain circumstances.
For example, you may be allowed to burn small amounts of dry, untreated wood or paper in a contained garden fire, if it does not cause a nuisance to your neighbours.
It is always best to check with your local council to see if there are any specific regulations or restrictions on burning waste in your area.
Do not put household waste on a garden bonfire if it can be recycled or disposed of using traditional avenues such as council waste collections or 3rd party rubbish removal companies.
What time can you burn rubbish in your garden?
There is no legal time of day when you can burn rubbish in your garden. However, in the interests of neighbourly relations, we advise you to do it at a time when it’s going to cause least disruption and annoyance.
This could include early in the morning, if they have gone to work, or perhaps later in the evening when they are not enjoying their own garden
Can you burn plastic in your garden?
Burning plastic in your garden would definite fall outside of the law, and it’s not advised. When plastic is burned it can release harmful pollutants into the air and contribute to air pollution. The toxins released include dioxins, furans, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can have negative effects on human health and the environment.
Burning plastic can also produce a strong and unpleasant odour. This will cause a nuisance to your neighbours.
Avoid burning plastic and to properly dispose of it through your local waste management system or through a garden rubbish collection company like Zero Waste Group.
We operate all across the south of England, and recently opened a new office in Winchester for garden waste jobs.
