Irish EPA warns businesses over backyard burning

According to the EPA, there is a growing trend for businesses to see Halloween as a chance for them to easily dispose of rubbish. However, the organisation has reminded firms that it is illegal to give waste to anyone without a Waste Collection Permit.

Not only is the practice illegal, but the EPA explained that ‘backyard burning’ is also harmful to the environment. In fact, burning waste material contributes to over 50 per cent of all dioxin emissions in Ireland.

“People need to understand the environmental and health risks associated with backyard burning – backyard burning is the single greatest source of dioxins in Ireland,” explained Jim Moriarty, a senior inspector at the EPA.

The EPA added that burning commercial waste on a business premises or farmyard and burning waste on a building site both constituted backyard burning. Any business caught doing this could face hefty fines.

James Cooper