Have rules on burning garden waste recently changed in France?
Spring is a popular time to clean up in garden
There are certain rules in France about how to dispose of green garden waste
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Reader Question: I have seen social media posts saying burning garden waste is allowed in the winter if I am using a big metal drum, but I am unsure if the rules have officially changed. Are there any updates you can provide?
There has not been a change to the general rules on burning garden waste, that are included in France’s environmental code.
Burning green waste (déchets verts) has been banned since 2011, and rules state that the use of garden fires – regardless of wild or in a metal drum – are prohibited.
The rules are not only in place in summer but throughout the entire year.
Read more: Can I burn trimmings from my French garden in spring?
If you have seen posts circulating on social media claiming otherwise, this is incorrect.
Allowed in certain cases
What is true is that some departments and local councils allow for green waste to be burned if there is no déchetterie (tip or landfill) to deposit the waste – or as in the case in some areas, they no longer accept it – or green waste collection service.
In these cases, as well as certain other situations – for example, wood infected by certain diseases or branches of specific types of trees – burning waste is permitted if no other alternative exists.
Some local councils also permit a limited amount of burning of green waste, especially in the period when débroussaillage is being undertaken (obligatory scrub clearance, to avoid spread of forest fires).
Check online at your mairie’s or local department’s website to see if such rules exist.
The following examples – from the Levens mairie (Alpes-Maritimes) and Dordogne department show the scenarios where permissions may be granted.
The Dordogne, for example, says it is tolerated to burn débroussaillage waste between October 1 and February 1, if you declare your intention to do so beforehand to the mairie.
These permitted periods are generally in the autumn and winter, and possibly early spring, and not in the summer when there is an increased risk of fires spreading.
People caught having illegal bonfires for green waste can be fined up to €450, and neighbours may be able to bring forward disturbance complaints over the smell and smoke.
Read more: Falling garden leaves: rules for neighbours in France and can you burn them?
