Uncontrolled burning of one kilo of waste creates the same amount of pollution as the incineration of 10 tonnes of waste in a modern incinerator, says OFEFP.
Domestic waste incinerators have reduced their annual dioxin emissions from 365g to 16g. Although only 1-2% of domestic waste is burnt illegally, this produces some 27-30g of dioxin a year – twice as much as official incineration, says OFEFP.
.
Also, since bonfires release atmospheric pollutants at ground level, they are more likely to end up on the ground and in the food chain – so people who burn waste in their gardens are potentially poisoning their own crops and their neighbours’ says OFEFP.