Bonfires fizzle out as gardeners fly-tip grass cuttings

Traditional garden bonfires have been all-but extinguished across Britain – with just one in 14 gardeners now disposing of green waste with an outdoor fire.

Many will no doubt welcome the demise of fumes billowing across the fence and smoke turning washing black. But bonfires have instead given way to people fly-tipping their grass cuttings, dry leaves and offcut branches, according to a survey.

Three in five of those quizzed said the reasons they spurned bonfires was because they lived in a ‘smoke control area’.

But while such zones ban households from releasing smoke from a chimney, people can light bonfires providing they do not burn domestic waste that causes pollution or poses a health risk, or let the smoke drift across roads.

One fifth of the 2,000 UK adults who responded to the Churchill Home Insurance survey avoided bonfires because they feared it would annoy neighbours. More than half (56 per cent) used their council’s green bin service to dispose of garden waste, while a quarter went to their local tip.

But one in 14 (7 per cent) admitted illegally dumping garden waste, risking fines and a criminal conviction.

The report said: ‘Once a common sight and smell across Britain, the garden bonfire is close to being extinguished. Sadly, there are those who still won’t dispose of their garden waste responsibly, with 7 per cent admitting to fly-tipping.

‘Even though people may just assume the grass cuttings will biodegrade, they could face a £400 fine if caught and if it happens persistently, they could be prosecuted and fined up to £50,000 in court.’

One in five of those quizzed were irritated by neighbours who do set bonfires. More than half said bonfires made it unpleasant to sit outside, with same number moaning that it made their washing smell.

Other complaints included the fire safety risk and the impact of smoke on their health

Some 38 per cent were unaware they could be fined should bonfire smoke drift on to a public highway.

Most of those surveyed – 65 per cent – had never complained about a bonfire, with just over one in ten actually confronting a neighbour. The same percentage said they had taken to social media to vent their fury at bonfires, while 9 per cent had lodged a complaint with their council.

Sarah Khan from the insurer said: ‘It’s great that so many people are using local authority services to responsibly dispose of garden waste. Most councils compost it and use it as a fertiliser.

‘As people are more conscious of the environment, their neighbours and health and safety, we are seeing a massive decline in domestic bonfires. While some may be nostalgic for the smell of smoke, thousands of others will be grateful they don’t have to pull in the washing or breathe in the fumes.’