Regulatory Decision 097: Burning waste on campfires and bonfires
This Regulatory Decision (RD) is valid until 1 June 2025 by which time it will be reviewed. You should check back at that time to ensure the RD is still valid.
NRW can withdraw or amend this RD before the review date if we consider it necessary. This includes where the activities that this RD relates to have not changed.
Regulatory Decision
Uncontrolled and excessive burning of the wrong wastes can cause pollution and harm human health. If you follow the conditions in this RD, you can burn waste at traditional events such as Guy Fawkes’ bonfires and Scout and Guide campfires without an environmental permit for a waste operation.
This RD does not apply to any other activity, even if it is under the same legislation. You may still need other permits or licences for other activities you carry out.
If you cannot comply with the conditions in this RD, you need to apply for an environmental permit.
Conditions you must comply with
You must:
- only burn waste at traditional events such as Guy Fawkes’ bonfires and Scout and Guide campfires
- keep the waste secure before you burn it
- only burn waste that is suitable for burning, for example wood that is visibly clean and has not been painted or treated with preservatives, branches and leaves
- only use card and paper in quantities necessary to start the fire
- make sure the size of the bonfire or campfire is appropriate for the event
You must not:
- burn unsuitable wastes such as plastic, rubber, glass, oils or metal – burning these wastes is likely to produce dark smoke and harmful chemicals
- get the waste for burning from a waste management facility
- hold the bonfire or campfire at a waste management facility
Enforcement
This RD does not change your legal requirement to have an environmental permit for a waste operation when burning waste on campfires and bonfires.
However, NRW will not normally take enforcement action if you do not comply with the need for an environmental permit if you meet the requirements in this RD.
In addition your activity must not cause (or be likely to cause) pollution of the environment or harm to human health, and must not:
- cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals
- cause a nuisance through noise or odours
- adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest