How To Shred Garden Waste

Garden Recycling Bin

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Local councils are urging the public not to burn their garden waste during lockdown, in order to avoid accidental fires.

With many green waste bin collections temporarily halted and recycling centres currently closed, many residents have been setting their garden waste alight as a way to quickly dispose of it. But, as well as adding to air pollution, this has also resulted in local firefighters being distracted from more vital work.

Over in Cumbria, the County Council's Fire and Rescue Service has seen a sharp increase in the number of accidental garden fires. "This is another example of how easy it is for the burning of garden waste to spread and get out of control, especially in the current spell of dry weather," Brian Steadman, from the fire and rescue service, told the Cumberland News.

"We appreciate people may be clearing their gardens and because waste recycling centres and garden waste collections are temporarily suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions, they want to get rid of vegetation, but setting it alight is not the answer. We will always respond to emergency calls but unnecessary fires such as these pull our firefighters away from other vital work and could expose them to the coronavirus."

Gardening ideas during lockdown:

Elsewhere, in Dorset, the local council has also issued a warning after many residents were found to be disposing of hedge cuttings, dormant plants and grass by setting them on fire. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service area manager, Ian Jeary, told Lets Recycle: "With garden waste collections suspended and local household recycling centres closed, we are starting to see an increase in garden bonfires getting out of control.

"Please consider if you must burn garden waste. Any bonfire should be sited well away from buildings, fences, trees and garden structures, and have a garden hose to hand in case the fire starts to accelerate."

How can you properly dispose of garden waste during lockdown?

The government explains on their website: "You can get rid of household or garden waste by composting or recycling it. Contact your local council to find out how to dispose of garden waste and about recycling in your area."

If you have a large amount in your garden (from cutting hedges, for example), keep it in a pile in your garden until the green waste collections resume. This is much safer than burning it.

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