Responsible Rockets – Tips for an Environmentally Conscious Bonfire Night
As exciting and wondrous as it is, Bonfire Night takes its toll on your surroundings. Here are some tips to enjoy the festivities with minimal impact on the environment!
2 minute read
5th November is a magical night – there is something in the air…literally.
But as wondrous as it is to see the crackle and fizz of fireworks lighting up the sky, it takes its toll on the environment.
Not only do fireworks create debris that can be difficult to recover for responsible disposal, they also include harmful chemicals.
On Bonfire Night, particle pollution has reached a 10 in some UK cities in recent years – the highest level on the pollution scale. These particles include toxic metals, such as copper, barium, titanium and antimony, which linger in the air and can also find their way into soil and water systems.
Bonfires can also cause significant air pollution, with people often using it as an opportunity to get rid of unwanted items. Not only is it illegal to burn various waste items, treated wood, tyres, plastics, rubber and oil can all send pollutants into the atmosphere.
The good news is that you can enjoy Bonfire Night, while still looking after the environment.
Here are some tips as to how.
Attend Official Displays
Rather than stocking up on fireworks and putting on your own display in the garden, look into officially organised local events. Such events are more likely to be strategically located, so as to have minimal impact on wildlife and residential areas.
By attending events en-masse, people also reduce the number of private displays, whereby pollutants are scattered in neighbouring gardens and parks, without a proper clean-up planned.
Only Use Natural Materials on Bonfires
If you do decide to prepare a bonfire of your own, make sure you are only using dry and clean natural materials, such as untreated wood and garden waste.
It is also vital that you consider any wildlife that could be affected by your bonfire, such as hedgehogs or voles. If you do use your garden for the bonfire, it is best to build the structure as close to lighting it as possible – certainly on the same day – so as to avoid animals taking shelter amongst the pile.
Similarly, take care not to use natural materials from your garden that animals may already be using for shelter.
Use Eco-friendly or White Fireworks and Ground Based Alternatives
Again, if you do decide to host a private fireworks display, opt for white rockets, rather than colourful ones.
While eco-friendly fireworks, that use a clean-burning, nitrogen-based fuel, are an option, they are also difficult to obtain. White fireworks, meanwhile, contain fewer harmful chemicals than their colourful counterparts.
Eco-friendly sparklers are a little easier to find, and should be used instead of traditional types.
To minimise scattered debris, you may also wish to create a ground-based display, using Catherine wheels.
Attend a Laser Display
Instead of attending a fireworks display, why not seek out a laser show? It may not fit in with the Guy Fawkes tradition but is an equally awe-inspiring and much more environmentally friendly alternative.
The more commonplace and popular such shows become, organisers may feel the pressure to make the switch.
