Backyard Burning Advice

Backyard Burning.

Many householders, business and farmers are burning waste. This traditional form of Waste Management is no longer acceptable as it poses a threat to our environment.

Many people think that they are doing the right thing in reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and saving money but they are both causing long term Environmental pollution and interfering with the lives of others living in their area.

In Cork County Council we refer to the following activities as Backyard burning:-

• Burning waste in a barrel or exposed heap (bonfire) in a yard or garden
• Burning in a purchased ready made "home incinerator"
• Burning commercial waste on a business premises or farmyard
• Burning waste on a building site

All the following activities are discouraged as they cause environmental pollution and cause nuisance.

These activities are legislated for by the

Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2003 and the Air Pollution Act 1987

The Waste Management legislation makes it an offence to:

Dispose of waste in a manner that is likely to cause Environmental Pollution

The Air Pollution Legislation makes it an offence to:

Cause or permit emissions (including smoke and odours) from your premises in a manner that will cause a nuisance.

People are also advised that the causing of a nuisance may give rise to a civil action against the person causing the nuisance.

Whereas it is sometimes difficult to produce enough evidence in court, Cork County Council has brought successful prosecutions for these activities under the Air Pollution and Waste Management legislation and will continue to do so in the future.

WHAT CAN YOU DO.

• DO NOT BURN WASTE.
• Avoid over packaged products and choose packaging which can be recycled
• Separate your waste and take recyclable waste to the Council's Bring Sites (for domestic users) and Civic Amenity Sites (for Domestic and Commercial users)
• Compost Organic Waste
• Use only Properly Permitted and Regulated waste collectors and waste facilities.
• Feel free to contact the Council's environment section for advice.

More information available on the Environment section and Waste Recycling and Disposal section of the Council's website, www.corkcoco.ie.