Bonfire Night is a much-loved tradition, and for many households it also feels like a handy excuse to burn a pile of garden rubbish. Before you light up that heap of branches and old fence panels, it's worth thinking again. There are cleaner, safer and more neighbourly ways to deal with garden waste in Peterborough, and most of them take less effort than you'd think.
Garden bonfires produce a lot of smoke, especially when the material is damp, as it usually is in November. That smoke can drift into neighbours' gardens and homes, aggravate breathing problems and leave washing smelling for days. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, smoke from a bonfire can be treated as a statutory nuisance if it affects neighbours, and councils can take action.
There are safety concerns too:
If you do go ahead with a small bonfire of dry garden material, always rebuild the pile on the day and check it thoroughly for animals before lighting.
Soft green waste such as leaves, spent bedding plants and grass clippings can go straight on the compost heap. Chop larger material into smaller pieces to help it break down, and mix greens with browns, such as cardboard or dry leaves, for the best results.
Peterborough City Council runs a garden waste collection service. Check the council's website for details of how it works and what can go in the bin. It's ideal for steady, small amounts of waste through the year.
Peterborough residents can take garden waste to the Household Recycling Centre at Fengate. You'll need a free vehicle e-permit before you go, and it's worth checking the opening times, which are shorter in the winter months.
If you're dealing with a big pile of branches, old trellis, a collapsed shed or a mix of garden and household rubbish, a skip is often the quickest answer. Our 2 to 4 yard skips are ideal for garden jobs, and everything we collect goes to a licensed transfer station to be sorted and recycled where possible. No smoke, no smell and no worried neighbours.
After the big night, you may have spent fireworks, sparkler wires and packaging to clear up. Always let used fireworks cool completely and soak them in a bucket of water before disposal. Cardboard packaging that's clean can usually be recycled, but follow Peterborough City Council's guidance on what goes in which bin. Never put fireworks that haven't gone off into a skip or household bin; follow the manufacturer's safety advice instead.
If you're organising a bonfire at a school, club or village event, plan where the leftover rubbish will go before the night. Ashes, unburnt timber, food packaging and drinks containers all need clearing afterwards. A skip on site for the morning after can make the clean-up quick and tidy.
There's no general ban on garden bonfires, but you must not cause a nuisance to neighbours or burn household waste. If in doubt, check with Peterborough City Council.
Yes. Untreated and treated garden timber, branches and prunings can usually go in a skip. Break them down so they lie flat.
Plastics, rubber, painted or treated wood, foam and household rubbish should never be burned.
High Court Skip Hire is a family-run business based at Unit 2 Broadway Business Park, Yaxley, Peterborough PE7 3EN, serving Peterborough and the surrounding villages. Our mini and midi skips, from 2 to 4 yard, come with fast delivery and collection, competitive rates and quick quotes, and all waste goes to a licensed transfer station where it's sorted and recycled where possible.
Take a look at our skip sizes, check the areas we cover or find out more about us. When you're ready, contact us, call 07407 445417 or email [email protected]. You can book in minutes, with no hassle.