Air pollution

There are many alternatives now to get rid of waste to avoid the need for having bonfires. The burning of trade waste is illegal unless done in agreement with strict legal standards. Bonfires are also discouraged in Southend-On-Sea City Council’s Air Quality Action Plans and Waste Management Strategies. As a result they will be restricted by the use of planning conditions for example bonfires on construction sites.

Here you can find information about the alternatives that exist to bonfires and also the legal restrictions in place.

Domestic bonfires

Please note that bonfires can be a particular source of annoyance, particularly in warmer weather when people wish to use their gardens. They are also a source of general pollution and can affect people with respiratory illnesses. Therefore, we urge residents to use other ways of disposing of waste rather than to burn it.

We are also required under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to investigate complaints of nuisance from bonfire smoke and take action where complaints are found to be justified. If we establish a nuisance we will serve an abatement notice requiring you to stop. Breaches of this can mean court action with unlimited fines.

Because of the more frequent and extremely hot weather and dry conditions that we are encountering there is also the risk of igniting surrounding foliage, woodland or buildings. So we are asking everybody to avoid having bonfires because of the potential consequences of this.

Garden waste can be taken to the Household Recycling Centres in Stock Road, Southend and Leigh Marshes, Leigh-On-Sea. Veolia will collect garden waste for a small monthly fee that can be arranged by:

• calling 0203 5676955
• visiting the Veolia garden waste portal

A bulky waste items such as armchairs, carpet rolls, beds, sofas, televisions and washing machines and fridges collection can be collected by Veolia. There are a range of fees for collection.

To find out more and arrange a collection:

• call Veolia on 0203 5676955
• email uk.southend-on-sea@veolia.com

Alternatively you can take bulky waste to the Household Recycling Centres or contact a local charity as they may want the item. The Household Recycling Centres accept a large variety of household wastes including:

• paint
• oils
• batteries
• garden chemicals
• hardcore

If you wish to have a bonfire, please follow the following advice:

• all materials to be burnt should be as clean and dry as possible
• bonfires should be sited as far as possible from any houses
• check the wind direction to prevent smoke from being blown onto neighbouring properties or roads
• never burn plastics, oil, rubber, electrical components or chemical as these can produce toxic fumes
• all bonfires must be supervised as there is a potential danger of it spreading
• do not leave a fire smouldering - extinguish it with soil or water

Never pour waste paint, oil, varnish or garden chemicals into any drain.

For more information about waste recycling and disposal please visit our Recycling and Waste pages or call 01702 215006.

Commercial bonfires

A statutory nuisance can also be caused by the burning of trade waste but in many cases the act of burning will be illegal.

Firstly it is an offence to dispose of trade waste without having obtained an Environmental Permit or Exemption from the Environment Agency. Exemptions from the Environment Agency powers relate to the burning of wood, bark and plant material at the site of production provided fires do not cause persistent problems to neighbours. This still must be registered with the Environment Agency and it is an offence not to do so. Council officers will pass on any evidence they find to the Environment Agency to assist them in its investigation.

In addition where a bonfire on a trade or industrial premises including a demolition or building site creates dark smoke or there are materials found on an extinguished bonfire that is likely to have caused dark smoke this is an offence under the Clean Air Act 1993 and is subject to an unlimited fine on conviction.

We always strongly recommend that trade waste is disposed of using a licensed commercial recycling and non-recyclable material collection service. We cannot recommend waste contractors, but you can search a directory of commercial collectors on our website.

Accidents caused by smoke

• if you see smoke drifting across the highway and it either causes an accident or is likely to, you should report this to the police as it is an offence
• those responsible may also face private action for damages by people who suffer loss or harm due to this

Burning cable for metal

• if you burn cable to recover the metal core, this is a specific offence. You can only do this on premises authorised for those purposes