Authority urges people not to supply material for bonfires

Donegal County Council is urging householders, businesses and communities not to provide materials for bonfires. 

Tomorrow night, Friday, June 23, is St. John's Eve a night which is rooted in ancient traditions. Ahead of the event, Donegal County Council is asking local communities not to provide materials for bonfires.

The Waste Awareness Officer with Donegal County Council, Suzanne Bogan said: “While traditionally wood and straw were used on bonfires in recent times materials such as tyres, mattresses, furniture, plastics, metal etc are burned on bonfires. This type of activity is illegal. 

"It is also an offence to supply waste materials to parties collecting for Bonfire Night. The burning of waste such as rubber, aerosols, plastics, foam, mattresses, couches and household waste material in bonfires is very damaging to our health and environment. When waste materials are burned on a bonfire harmful dioxins are created and released into the air that we breathe."

She said that Donegal County Council is currently monitoring a number of locations where waste materials have been supplied as bonfire material in the past.

Bonfires can also very often be built close to houses and other property and can cause serious damage and injuries particularly where the burning of highly combustible materials is taking place. 

The Council is currently running ½ Price Bulky Goods promotions across its 6 Recycling Centres in partnership with Bryson Recycling funded under the 2023 Anti-Dumping Initiative. The intention of this initiative is to promote responsible waste disposal of large bulky items. 

People are encouraged not to leave material lying around that may be taken for use in a bonfire and asked to explain the dangers of illegal bonfires to children and teenagers. People area also urged to keep pets indoors on bonfire night as many are sensitive to noise. People are also asked to please respect the work of the emergency services and to also contact the Fire Service by calling 999 or 112 if you should see a bonfire being lit close to buildings, trees, overhead cables, underground services or car parking areas.