Commercial and industrial bonfires

Bonfires caused by the burning of waste at trade or commercial premises is not permitted and carries stringent penalties.

Sections 33 and 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 places a duty of care on waste producers. This requires them to ensure that all waste produced, stored or transferred does not adversely impact upon the environment or human health.

This duty of care makes it illegal to burn commercial waste on site or to dispose of waste without a waste transfer note or contract.

Dark Smoke - The Clean Air Act 1993

If a commercial or industrial bonfire is producing 'dark smoke' by the burning of trade or commercial waste on commercial land then the persons responsible maybe liable to fines of up to £20,000 after a successful prosecution in court.

An authorised officer does not need to serve a notice first and it does not have to be thick black smoke. 

The kind of items which we are concerned about are:

• plastics
• rubber
• densely packed wood, especially if the wood is painted or treated.

Report a nuisance

If the smoke, fly ash or gritty particles associated with a commercial bonfire cause a nuisance to other people this is a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

We can serve a notice to abate the nuisance or prevent it happening again. If the person responsible does not comply with this notice then they can be fined up to £20,000.