The cooler weather traditionally brings an increase in stockpiled rubbish being set alight. However, authorities are warning property owners to stop destroying toxic substances such as mattresses, plastics and treated timber.
Otago Regional Council environmental delivery portfolio lead Cr Robbie Byars said there had been an uptick in calls about hazardous waste disposal.
“We've seen that there’s many burn piles out there ready to go and appreciate their necessity, but everyone needs to follow best practice and abide by the rules, in order to protect the environment and air quality for everyone,” Cr Byars said.
Items such as mattresses, plastic bottles, tyres, food waste, chemicals and waste oil cannot be burnt safely, as they have the potential to discharge extremely harmful toxins into the environment.
In general, what could be burnt was paper, cardboard, vegetative matter or untreated wood.
