Bonfires
Bonfires are not illegal but if they cause an odour or dust nuisance they can be dealt with under the EPA.
If your bonfire produces dark smoke (normally from burning plastics) it will be dealt through the Clean Air Act 1993. We can prosecute persistent offenders and can issue fines up to £20,000 for commercial burning or up to £5,000 for residential bonfires.
There is no bonfire policy on allotment sites but we discourage domestic bonfires by promoting alternatives such as composting and free collections of garden waste.
Garden waste must be placed in special biodegradable sacks which is collected from the font of your property on the same day as your Green Box.
All sacks left out before 6.30 am or night before;
It must not contain plastic bags;
It must not contain general waste;
Biodegradable sacks cost £2.50 for 5;
Your able to purchase the sacks in multiples of 5; and
The biodegradable sacks should be stored in a cool, dark and dry place to prevent early deterioration.
Garden waste can also be taken for composting at the Space Waye recycling facility.
Open fireplaces
The Clean Air Acts enables local authorities to declare a smoke control area within which the burning of coal, wood or other non-authorised fuels on open fires is banned. We changed the existing smoke control orders in 2000 and made one new order covering the whole of Hounslow.
Burning coal, wood or other unauthorised fuel on open fires or in unauthorised stoves or boilers is illegal anywhere in the borough.
We receive complaints about smoke nuisance where coal or wood is burnt on open fireplaces. Offenders are informed that their actions are illegal and this is normally sufficient to stop the practice. If necessary we will prosecute if offences are repeated.
Construction dust
Dust from construction and demolition activities can often be a problem especially during dry weather conditions.
We control the amount of dust and emissions from contruction and demolition by working alongside the London Councils Best Practice Guidance. The document help us advise our developers and contracters on reducing the amount of dust emission in the borough.