With bonfire night just around the corner, the WRA is reminding people to reuse or recycle unwanted wood rather than burn it on a bonfire.
Many materials commonly added to bonfires – including furniture and treated wood – can release harmful pollutants when burned. These can affect local air quality and pose risks to people and the environment. Burning this material illegally can also attract a hefty fine.
Materials which are not suitable for bonfires include treated waste wood and wet wood. Wet wood produces excessive smoke, which can travel beyond the immediate area and cause nuisance to neighbours.
The comments come after Natural Resources Wales last week encouraged people to celebrate Bonfire night responsibly and protect the environment, advising that only clean, dry, untreated wood should be used on bonfires and that unwanted items should be recycled where possible.
Julia Turner, Executive Director of the WRA, said: “As Bonfire Night approaches, it is vital that waste wood is managed responsibly and disposed of through the correct lawful channels. With an abundance of material about this year, we are encouraging people to think carefully about what they burn and to reuse or recycle unwanted wood wherever possible.”
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