Nus Ghani has repeated calls from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS) for residents to refrain from garden bonfires/burning waste, during the lockdown period.
ESFRS have asked residents to consider the vulnerable in the community who are having to self-isolate and need to be able to get clean air into their homes, as well as the obvious increased fire risk that bonfires create which impacts blue light services.
The increase in garden bonfires is believed to be a result of household waste recycling centres currently being closed due to COVID-19. However, household waste should not be burned at all, and in doing so you might be committing an offence and could face prosecution.
Nus Ghani said:
“During this difficult time, we all need to be considerate of others, especially the most vulnerable in our communities, so I urge residents to please refrain from having bonfires which can be both harmful to health and a nuisance to our neighbours. I have received emails from concerned local residents who have asthma and from local fire services who want to focus on tackling COVID-19 cases.”
Wealden District Council who manage waste collection have offered the following suggestions for dealing with garden waste :
- Composting at home
- Store your waste in a location waiting either for services to resume or tips to reopen
- Please avoid burning garden waste and do not under any circumstances place garden waste into household waste or mixed recycling bins
