Shops have reported a rise in the number of incinerator sales following the States’ decision last week to approve new charges for the collection of waste.
R. H. Gaudion & Sons sold 20 incinerators on Thursday alone.
But Tobin Cook, director of environmental health and pollution regulation, said it would not tolerate people using the garden incinerators to burn their refuse instead of paying for it to be collected.
‘The waste strategy provides ways to recycle the vast amount of domestic refuse including tins, cans, plastics, paper, glass, cardboard and food waste,’ he said.
‘The amount of rubbish that will need to be placed in black bags should be reduced and the material that cannot be recycled is not suitable to be burned.
‘The open and uncontrolled burning of waste causes environmental damage and is likely to cause disturbance to neighbours.
‘This method of waste disposal is not acceptable now and it will continue to remain unacceptable.’
In February 2017, the States agreed an ordinance – enacted under the Environmental Pollution (Guernsey) Law, 2004 – to prevent the uncontrolled burning of all material other than garden waste.
The smoke from such fires would, however, be controlled by existing statutory nuisance provisions.
Deputies also agreed to the enactment of legislation in relation to air pollution, which included a ban on the creation of dark smoke.
This legislation is currently awaiting drafting, subject to the legislative drafting prioritisation process, Mr Cook said.
In the last 12 months there had been 89 complaints about open burning. However, no one has been prosecuted.
‘Complaints about nuisance bonfires and burning should be reported to the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation,’ he added.
‘While the department has not needed to prosecute anyone for the recurrence of smoke nuisance, legal notices have been served and we will continue to take action where problems can be evidenced.
‘Officers will continue to investigate complaints of burning and action will be taken which is proportionate to the problems that are witnessed.’
Following the States decision last week, black bags will cost £2.50 each to dispose of, with all households also having to pay a standing charge of £85.
The new charges will start next year, with changes to the way waste is collected coming into force in September.
A spokesman for R. H. Gaudion & Sons said the decision on the waste strategy also coincided with the beginning of the gardening season. However, he thought the increase in incinerator sales was more to do with the States decision.
‘Sales have increased dramatically over the last few weeks,’ he said.
‘We now get two pallets a month, whereas we used to get one a month.’
A spokesman for Valpys said it expected a rise in sales but had not seen one yet.
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