Residents urged not to set fire to garden waste
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Following the closure of Household Recycling Centres as part of our Covid-19 response, Aberdeenshire Council has seen an increase in the number of complaints regarding householders burning garden waste and compost.
A spokesmand said: "We would ask residents to refrain from burning such materials and store them safely until our HRCs can re-open.
"Garden bonfires, although not prohibited, are detrimental to local air quality, may impact on your health and that of your neighbours, along with adversely affecting neighbours with smoke and odour.
"Persistent burning which affects neighbouring properties may be investigated and notice served to prohibit them under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
"We appreciate that now that Spring has sprung, more of us are starting to mow our lawns - which leaves us with a bit of a dilemma as to how to dispose of the grass appropriately.
"While our household recycling centres and seasonal garden waste outlets are closed owing to coronavirus and we really don’t really want grass cuttings going in your landfill bins."
Instead they suggest making your own composter with this easy guide from the RSPB as a good stay-at-home activity for all to enjoy in the fresh air.
Meanwhile, Zero Waste Scotland has produced a very handy online leaflet answering your questions on home composting:
https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/sites/default/files/Composting_at_Home_-_leaflet.pdf