Bio-waste must be sorted and recycled or composted separately according to the EU’s waste directive – something that affects both food and garden waste.
The regulations entered into force on 1 January this year and are actually about recycling. Not being allowed to incinerate the waste is an indirect effect, says Milla Sundström, administrator at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
Then it’s fine to fire
According to the directive, it is the purpose of the fire that affects whether you can burn what you collected from the garden.
– If, for example, you have taken down a tree in order to obtain firewood, it is fine to use it. But if it’s something you want to get rid of, it should be recycled, says Milla Sundström.
There may also be cases where exceptions are issued, but it is up to the municipality to decide.
An exception may exist if you live in a place where it is very far or difficult to get to a waste station. In that case, you should contact the municipality and ask if they can issue an exception.
If you choose to set fire despite the ban, it is up to your municipality to decide whether you will be punished.
Not being able to fire is not new
The municipality or the county administrative board have also previously been able to limit when and how residents can light fires, for example through fire bans during dry periods.
– It has not been free to fire anywhere and in any way, says Milla Sundström and continues:
– You should always contact your municipality and find out what applies.