There are no laws prohibiting bonfires. However, under The Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878, a statutory nuisance includes “smoke emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance”. In practice, to be considered a nuisance, the problem would have to occur on a regular basis and interfere.

Substantially with your well being, comfort or enjoyment of your property. If the Council is satisfied that statutory nuisance conditions exist it can take enforcement action to abate the nuisance and prohibit recurrence of the problem. It is an offence under The Roads (NI) Order 1981 to allow smoke from a bonfire to affect visibility on a public highway and endanger traffic. This is dealt with by the police service.

Just because you can see a garden bonfire or smell smoke does not mean that this would necessarily constitute a nuisance - in order for a bonfire to be classed as a statutory nuisance, it must be unreasonably affecting an individual's use or enjoyment of their property. Some factors that will affect whether a bonfire is classed as a statutory nuisance are the size of the fire, the materials being burnt, the weather and the odour.

Guidelines for garden bonfires

If you wish to have a garden bonfire you are advised to follow the guidance below:

• Only burn dry garden material - wet material produces more smoke and steam
• Never burn domestic rubbish, furniture, painted wood, tyres or plastics
• Never add a fuel such as diesel, oil or petrol
• Ensure having a bonfire will not affect neighbours (e.g. check they have windows closed and do not have any washing out to dry)
• Never have bonfires on damp days or when there is little or no wind as smoke will linger in the air for long periods of time
• Never have bonfires at weekends or on bank holidays when people are more likely to be enjoying their gardens - be considerate to your neighbours!
• If your neighbours do complain rake off any unburnt material if safe to do so and smother the fire with soil or sand. Dousing with water can make the problem worse due to the amount of steam that is produced

Alternatives to Burning Waste

Household waste should not be burned. It should be placed in your wheelie bin or it can be taken to any of the Council’s local amenity sites free of charge. Large items, such as furniture, can be collected by the Council’s bulky waste service.

Recycling

Many items of household waste can be recycled. Maximum use should be made of the Council’s doorstep collection service for designated recyclables. Alternatively, glass, plastics, metals, paper, cardboard and clothes can be taken to recycling banks located at a number of locations throughout the district, including the Council’s amenity sites.

Home Composting

A lot of waste can be converted to garden compost in a composting bin to produce a soil conditioner and save money on commercial products.

Further information on the Council’s waste collection and disposal services can be found on the http://www.newtownabbey.gov.uk/recycle/bruslee.asp