Halloween warning over household waste

HOUSEHOLDERS giving waste to people for bonfires may be prosecuted, Wicklow County Council has warned. The council has also said that it will not be cleaning up after bonfires this year.

The message from the council is that if evidence of ownership is found in bonfire waste, fines will be issued or prosecutions taken.

People are obliged to handle their waste properly and providing waste for others to burn is not proper handling. Uncontrolled burning of rubber and plastics releases deadly dioxins and other chemicals into the air which is then breathed in by children and others standing by.

Items commonly found on bonfires include household domestic rubbish, hedge clippings, grass cuttings, tyres, beds and mattresses, furniture, aerosol cans, TVs, washing machines, prams, cots, kitchen units, tables and chairs, carpets and piping. Old car tyres are a particular favourite for bonfires but they produce toxic fumes which can damage both health and the environment.

Only someone carrying a Waste Collection Permit is allowed to stockpile waste and breaches of waste regulations could lead to fines of up to €3,000.

Anyone organising an event this Halloween is reminded that bonfires are illegal and constitute illegal burning.

The local authority has also said that it will not be picking up leftover rubbish or shouldering the cost of the clean-up in the wake of illegal bonfires.

Halloween bonfires may have other serious health and safety implications. They are often built close to houses and other property presenting risks to personal safety and property. Burning highly combustible materials may lead to serious injuries or death.

Halloween is one the busiest times of the year for the fire service and responding to bonfire call outs creates a strain on existing resources, the council said.