Cutting grass? Check what to do with clippings…
Burning green waste is against the law in most areas although rural communes may have different local rules
Warm, sunny weather means lawnmowers will be in action across France this holiday weekend but gardeners should check what they are allowed to do with garden waste.
Many departments and communes ban burning green waste as it is a source of pollution – as it does not burn completely and gives off a lot of smoke – and because it is a fire hazard.
Householders have no legal right to burn it unless local legislation allows. Garden waste such as grass and hedge clippings, dead leaves and pruned branches should be taken to the déchetterie or collected by the commune if this is available.
There they may be turned into chippings to make compost – and some communes offer this free or for a small charge to residents.
Many rural communes, however, do not have a special collection and burning of dry material only may be allowed by law at specific times during specific periods: from 11.00 to 15.30 December to February and from 10.00 to 16.30 the rest of the year.
Burning garden waste was banned in Dordogne a few days ago by the prefecture to stop air pollution – who needs a neighbour’s smoke blowing across the garden picnic? – and to prevent starting brush fires.
However, it may still be allowed in some rural communes – residents should check with their mairie. Green waste from débroussaillement (the legal obligation to clear scrub land for 50m round houses and 10m from roads) may be burned with extreme caution. Residents must give three days’ notice to the mairie if they are planning to burn waste.
Ignoring the burning ban could lead to a fine of up to €450 – but offenders could face much more serious action if any damage is caused or a brush fire started.
The prefecture website at dordogne.gouv.fr has the ban notice and the list of rural communes where burning may be carried out plus a form letter to be printed out to warn your mairie of a planned burn.
