It follows from the applicable legal regulations. The ban on burning also applies to plant residues generated in allotment gardens, parks and gardens. It is very important to make all residents aware of the consequences of burning waste in household stoves and boilers (as well as in the open air), and to indicate the correct way to handle waste, which will help avoid penalties and contribute to improving air quality in our city.

Consequences of burning waste

Due to the burning of waste in household stoves and boilers, air quality in the city deteriorates significantly every year during the autumn and winter period. The combustion temperature plays an important role in combustion processes—as it is too low, pollutants are produced in the emitted fumes whose impact on the natural environment and human health is highly harmful. Burning waste in household furnaces takes place at low temperatures (200–500ºC) and is accompanied by the emission of numerous pollutants into the atmosphere—particulate matter and organic compounds, such as:

  • inorganic chlorine compounds
  • inorganic fluorine compounds
  • nitrogen oxides (mainly NO and NO2)
  • sulfur dioxide (SO2)
  • carbon monoxide (CO)—carbon monoxide poisoning
  • fine particulate matter containing heavy metal compounds (especially toxic lead and cadmium).

The concentrations of pollutants coming from household chimneys many times exceed the permissible concentrations of these substances in the air! They are particularly harmful to our health because they are emitted from so-called low-emission sources, namely low chimneys of homes or small local boiler rooms, which prevents the pollutants from being carried over long distances and dispersed by the wind. This in turn causes a local increase in the amount of pollutants in the ambient air.

Let us remember that by burning waste in a household stove, we harm primarily ourselves, our immediate family and our neighbors, and that the burning of waste produces highly toxic chemical compounds causing many serious and even fatal diseases. Asthma, allergies and cancer are the most common consequences suffered by the body as a result of inhaling polluted air.

In addition, waste burned in household stoves causes so-called wet soot to accumulate in chimney flues. It is very difficult to remove, and its excess may cause the flue to catch fire or even result in a house fire!

What may be burned?

The Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 21 April 2006 on the list of types of waste that a waste holder may transfer to individuals or organizational units that are not enterprises, and on permissible recovery methods, permits burning for heating purposes only of waste whose thermal treatment in household installations will not have a negative impact on the environment. These are:

  • wood, provided that it is not contaminated with paints, varnishes, preservatives, adhesives, etc.
  • sawdust, wood shavings, wood offcuts, bark and cork waste (excluding waste from the processing of particleboard), provided that they are not contaminated with paints, varnishes, preservatives, adhesives, etc.
  • paper and cardboard.

Attention!

We remind you that selective collection and collection of biodegradable waste (plant-based waste mass) is carried out in the city of Bolesławiec; therefore, a total ban on burning it applies both in stoves and in the open air.

What are the penalties for burning waste?

Failure to comply with the ban on burning waste is punishable under Article 191 of the Waste Act. Burning waste in heating installations or in the open air may result in a fine of up to PLN 500, or a penalty of up to PLN 5,000 if the case is referred to court.

SM Bolesławiec/ii