Remember, Remember the Rules this 5th of November | My London Times

Ah, the 5th of November – the glorious day when millions of people gather ’round bonfires to commemorate gunpowder, treason, and plot on Guy Fawkes Night. But alas, amidst the fiery spectacle, many bonfires will be concealing a rather unsavory secret – the incineration of unwanted waste. Oh, the audacity! Who knows what chemical concoctions are being released into the sky? Not so great for the environment, wouldn’t you agree? So we’ve called up the expertise of Business Waste to share some tips on how to plot a Zero Waste Bonfire Night…

“We know a thing or two about the right way to get rid of trash”, says company spokesperson Mark Hall. “Don’t get burnt with a big fine for burning your rubbish!” 

Burning Rubbish on 5th November is Illegal.

Getting rid of waste can be such a dull and time-consuming task, that it can be tempting to take shortcuts to get rid of it as soon as possible – and with bonfire night on the horizon you could be tempted to shove your rubbish onto the fire so you never have to see it again. However, that comes with the risk of releasing toxic fumes into the air, explosions, asbestos exposure, and leaving a legacy of pollution. 

Remember, remember the rules this November

So, what can you burn this bonfire night? 

Legally, you are within your right to have a bonfire on November 5^th without needing a permit, but there are Environment Agency rules to make sure you aren’t causing a nuisance or any harm to human health or the environment. 

These include:

• Only burn clean, dry, untreated and unpainted wood (Painted wood constitutes a health hazard)

• Only use a small amount of cardboard and paper to start the fire

• Do not burn any plastic, rubber, glass, oils or metal

• Make sure your fire is the right size for the event 

• Keep the fire secure and constantly watched

What about garden waste? Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s safe to burn just because it’s a natural product, as studies have shown that it can create 30 times the amount of smoke than burning logs on a stove, releasing more toxic fumes into the air and into your lungs and the surrounding environment. 

Don’t get carried away by illegal waste carriers 

For those who are not planning on having a bonfire this year, there is still the worry about how your rubbish might be contributing to illegal fires this November. 

“You need to be wary of people offering to collect rubbish, so make sure any waste collector you use is a trustworthy licensed waste carrier,” shared Mark Hall. “The last thing you want is for some rogue trader to take advantage and burn your rubbish to save themselves the hassle of illegally dumping it in a lay-by, or paying the fees for it to be correctly disposed of.”

Burning the wrong kind of waste could carry a fine up to £50,000, so make sure you don’t fall victim to a pyromaniac criminal this bonfire night because it could cost you more than a night of fun and flames this November. 

How to plot an environmentally friendlier Bonfire Night party 

Attend a public bonfire

Setting off fireworks and having a bonfire in your garden is a fun way to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night but it’s not the most sustainable option. Many councils, pubs, and community clubs host their own Bonfire Night parties. There are many reasons why attending a public display is better for the environment, as it:

• Minimises emissions as it avoids you from having a bonfire at home that would otherwise add to increased particulate and soot levels in the air.
• Reduces waste from dead fireworks being littered across the local environment with community displays ensuring all used fireworks and sticks are cleaned up.
• Creates less noise in your local neighbourhood, which should help cause less upset to any pets.
• Costs much less than buying fireworks and wood for a bonfire at home.
• Provides an impressive visual display that’s likely bigger and longer than any event you plan.

Use eco-friendly fireworks

There are plenty of ways to reduce waste and your environmental impact if you’re planning a Bonfire Night party at home. Fireworks are the main focus of the evening, so ensuring these are as environmentally friendly as possible is vital. A greater awareness of the effect fireworks have on the environment means there are now eco-friendly options available.

Eco-friendly fireworks are made with a nitrogen-based fuel that burns cleaner and produces a lot less smoke. They’re designed to reduce atmospheric pollution caused by traditional fireworks that have charcoal and sulphur fuel. Currently, they’re not as easy to find but making the effort to source eco-friendly fireworks is worth it for a sustainable Bonfire Night.

Build a better bonfire 

Burning rubbish might sound like a great way to avoid any non-recyclable waste ending up in landfill, but you should avoid this. Building a bonfire with household waste, plastics, wet wood, and many other materials can pollute the air, create lots of smoke, and an unpleasant smell.

Burning many waste types is also illegal with a potential fine of up to £50,000. As well as environmental concerns there are also safety risks, so fires must be held in a secure place with plenty of water nearby. If you’re planning a bonfire then here’s how to have one in the most environmentally friendly way:

• Only burn dry, untreated, and unpainted scrap wood. Any wood that could be reused, repurposed, or recycled shouldn’t be burned, as this isn’t sustainable. This includes garden waste, which it’s better to compost rather than burn on a fire.
• Just use small amounts of paper or cardboard to help start the fire. Recycling paper and cardboard is the best way to dispose of these materials, so don’t burn loads on your bonfire.
• Check the weather forecast as it’s best to have bonfires on clear nights with no wind or mist to minimise their impact.
• Look into the bonfire before lighting it to ensure no hedgehogs or other animals are living inside. Building the bonfire on the day helps reduce this risk.
• Dispose of ash properly after your bonfire has burned out. Ensure it’s cooled down and then you can add pure wood ash to a compost heap.

This article was originally published on My Soho Times.

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