With Bonfire Night looming the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is raising awareness in respect of the burning of controlled waste.  It is known from experience that businesses have used November 5th as an opportunity to dispose of waste through burning.  The message the Department is trying to send out is that burning is not an acceptable, safe or sustainable way of controlled waste disposal. 
 
Uncontrolled burning of waste produces smoke, malodours and particulates which pollute the environment, can be hazardous to health and affect the amenity of the locality as well as being a nuisance to neighbours.  Ultimately such behaviours may well result in criminal prosecution and substantial fines.
 
Current legislation requires waste producers to dispose of waste correctly, including requirements for secure storage in bespoke containers to prevent waste escaping, access for collection and transportation to a licensed waste disposal site.
 
Member for the Environment Directorate, Brenda Cannell, MHK said “Isle of Man Government as a whole is committed to protecting the environment and public health.  This commitment is established in legislation and borne out by the provision of facilities for disposal.  Individuals, local authorities and businesses all play an important role in achieving this ‘common goal’ by aiming to be environmentally conscious in this regard.”
 
Further information can be found in a leaflet produced by the Environment Directorate and available from DEFA Headquarters in St John’s by telephoning 685835 or which can be downloaded from:
http://www.gov.im/daff/enviro/pest/nuisance.xml.