Burning garden waste might seem like an easy option. You collect unwanted branches, leaves, or old furniture from your garden, light a fire, and the mess is gone. But the truth is, burning the wrong kind of waste can be dangerous. Not just for you, but for your family, your neighbors, and even the environment.
Many garden waste items give off harmful smoke. Some can even release poisonous chemicals into the air. Others may cause long-term soil pollution. And in others, incinerating something inappropriate can result in going to court. You may believe it is a minor fire yet the hazards are large.
And in case you are concerned over safe environment and clean air, you have to be aware of what is inappropriate to be ever thrown into the garden fire. In this article, we’ll look at the most common garden waste items that must never be burned. We’ll also talk about better, safer ways to get rid of them.
1. Pressure-Treated Wood
Treated wood differs with the natural wood. It appears to be similar, yet it is immersed in chemicals. It is chemicals used to prevent rot and bugs in the wood that are harmful when they are burned. Such typical chemicals found in chemically treated wood are arsenic, chromium, and copper. This wood burns releasing these chemicals into toxic smoke. that smoke can put irritants in your lungs and eyes. Over time breathing it in can lead to grave health problems. It may as well get deposited in the soil of your garden and impact the plants and animals.
Never burn treated fences, wood decking and raised garden beds. Unless you know that a piece of wood is treated, then do not risk it out. The best option would be to send it to a recycling center dealing with timber treated wood. Some skip hire locally also accept treated wood and take it to the right places for safe reuse.
2. Rubber and Man-Made Fibres
Rubber mats, artificial grass and old garden hoses may appear to be harmless. However, incineration of these materials is very toxic. The chemicals in them are man made and release some harmful gases when exposed to fire. All the black smoke that is caused by burning rubber is rich and heavy with sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and various other harmful particles. These gases may interfere with breathing as well as headaches, nausea and prolonged chronic effects in case of frequent exposure by inhalation.
The ash that is left behind is sticky and it can also destroy the soil and make it inadmissible to plant. It is more advisable to bring these items to a recycling centre. There are some garden centers and waste centers that will collect the used rubber so it can be used in some industry or on playgrounds.
3. Invasive Plant Species
Every plant is not safe to be burned. Others, such as the Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and the giant hogweed are invasive. Wild fires of these plants perhaps sound like a final solution but it might cause a further spread. The emissions of these plants can transfer seeds or parts of the plants to the surrounding. This means that you may be supporting the plants in their growth rather destroying them.
The invasive species must be treated with a lot of care. See your local council to make safe removal. The majority of the local authorities have professional teams equipped on how to deal with such plants. They cannot be dumped in a land fill without authorization.
4. Painted or Varnished Wood
Painted or varnished wood may appear to be old and be burnt. Yet, the burning of painted products emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They are chemical compounds which can easily change to gaseous state. VOCs may lead to headache, eye irritations, and inconvenience in breathing when they are inhaled. Lead may be even in an old paint. Lead is particularly harmful and is injurious to the brain and nervous system. It is also able to land on the nearby soil and damage your vegetables or herbs.
Rather than burning painted doors, furniture, furniture or wooden fences, ones should be disposed in a recycling facility. These too will be accepted by some skip hire services and will be disposed in the appropriate way.
5. Plastic Plant Pots and Packaging
Plastic is one of the worst materials to burn. Burning of plastic is a huge pollutant whether in the form of plant pots, seed trays, or even packaging of garden products. It emits dioxins and furans, which are considered to hurt humans and animals. Even the so called eco friendly plastics which are called biodegradable are not safe to burn. They need high heat and special conditions to break down properly. A backyard fire does not meet those conditions. Burning them will just release toxins into the air.
Broken plastic pots should be sent to recycling centers or placed in proper waste bins. Many garden centers now collect old pots for recycling. Don’t risk your health by burning them.
6. Wet or Fresh Green Waste
You might think leaves, lawn clippings, or fresh branches are safe to burn. However, when young or wet they are a nuisance. The ones that produce excessive smoke and do not burn all completely are these kinds of wastes. Green waste produces very high amounts of carbon monoxide when it burns. It contributes to air pollution as well and may make nearby people angered. It is also possible that the blaze cannot easily maintain itself, which creates a lot of smoke and smouldering ashes.
Rather than burning, make composting your green waste. If you don’t have a compost system, use your council’s green waste collection. Local skip hire services also offer garden waste bins that get turned into compost or biomass fuel.
7. Treated Bamboo and Composite Garden Products
Many garden products now use mixed materials. These can include bamboo treated with preservatives or composite boards made from plastic and wood. Such products are not easily consumed without much harm. When combustible content is mixed, there are chemicals that are released during fire combustion and are not soluble. The outcome is a poison gas, random fire.
Don t burn old bamboo fencing or composite decking when you are replacing your old fencing or doing away with the old composite decking. See the packing or product label on how to dispose of it. Or contact a local recycling centre to see whether they will take such materials.
Skip hire companies often accept this type of garden waste. They sort and process it using special machines that keep harmful chemicals out of the environment.
8. Foam Cushions and Garden Furniture
Old cushions from garden chairs or broken plastic furniture are often tossed into fires. But foam materials are dangerous to burn. They burn producing smoke that contains toxic chemicals such as hydrogen cyanide and other irritants. The smoke is dense and may cause much distance by going to your neighbors and your own family. The melted foam also provides sticky and chemical ashes which may harm your soil.
Instead, contact your local council about large item collection. Some furniture stores will also take old garden items if you’re buying new ones. Avoid throwing these into fires, even if they look harmless.
Why Not Burn?
Burning might feel like the fastest way to clean up your garden. But it’s one of the least safe options. Many items release harmful chemicals. Some cause serious health issues or damage the environment. Others might lead to penalties or fines if caught.
Fires can also get out of control. Dry weather, wind, and nearby plants or buildings can turn a small fire into a big risk. It’s always safer to look for other ways to dispose of waste.
Safer Alternatives to Burning
Here are better, cleaner ways to get rid of unwanted garden waste:
- Use a compost bin: Great for green waste like leaves, grass, and small branches. Compost turns into rich soil for your garden.
- Hire a skip: Skip hire companies sort waste for you. They also take many hard-to-dispose-of items.
- Local council services: Councils often collect garden waste, large furniture, and even rubber or plastic materials.
- Recycling centers: Take old plant pots, treated wood, and plastic packaging to centers that handle special waste.
- Garden centers: Some stores now accept used plastic pots or trays for recycling.
Final Thoughts
Garden waste should never be burned as an option of last resort. Small fires produce great problems when you incorporate the wrong products. All of the items that give off harmful chemicals include pressure-treated wood, rubber products, plastics, and materials that have been painted. Invasive vegetation can have the tendency to proliferate rather than being obliterated. And combustion of green waste or other created substances leads to smoke which is not only harmful to you but to the atmosphere also.
It is healthier to the garden as well as your society to use safe methods that are friendly to the environment. An appropriate way to handle garden waste is through composting, skip hire or contact to your local council. Smart choices enable you to have clean air, healthy soil, and safe neighborhood.
