Five sparkling tips to enjoy a green Bonfire Night
Many youngsters who are all fired up to go to public fireworks displays over the next few days will be disappointed.
Councils in Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Dundee and London have already cancelled their big Bonfire Nights blaming rising costs, budget pressures and air quality implications and others may follow suit.
Other groups such as the Worcester Round Table, who have been holding a firework display on the city racecourse for 50 years, won’t be holding their popular event this year because the group has folded due to a lack of new members. However, there will be a fireworks’ display at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways stadium on Friday, November 4 at 7.30pm.
“It is sad for many youngsters as this would have been the first time since 2019 that these events would have taken place since the coronavirus pandemic,” said Midlands green energy expert Ron Fox.
“But everyone can still enjoy an eco-friendly evening in their own back garden.”
Environment expert Ron gives his five sparkling tips on how to have a green and safe Bonfire Night at home.
1 Use wood, naturally: “When preparing a bonfire, it can be all too easy to burn old furniture, mattresses or even household rubbish,” said Ron of Noreus Ltd.
“But people must remember that it is illegal to burn most types of waste and setting fire to treated wood, tyres, plastics, rubber and oil can seriously harm health and pollute the environment,” he added. “Instead burn only dry, clean and natural materials, such as untreated wood or waste from your garden.”
2 Look out for animals: “Garden log piles provide crucial shelter this month for hedgehogs preparing for hibernation and other mammals,” said Ron. “To avoid accidentally trapping them among the timber, build your bonfire on the day you intend to light it or in a place well away from the animals. Also ensure your own pets are well looked after and kept indoors.”
3 Use eco-friendly fireworks: “Rockets and Catherine wheels give a magnificent firework display,” said Ron, “but remember they also pollute the atmosphere.”
He added that if eco-friendly fireworks are hard to find and expensive, then go for white-coloured fireworks which generally have fewer harmful chemicals than most of the colourful ones.
4 Keep an eye on the weather: Choosing the best evening when the air is clear with a light breeze can make a huge difference. If the night air is still and misty, then the effects of pollution are intensified, plus there’s a danger to spectators if a stiff wind is blowing, said Ron.
5 Beware of sky or Chinese lanterns: These popular attractions pose a significant danger to wildlife which can get trapped in the wires when they land. “If you really want a sky lantern some retailers now sell biodegradable lanterns made without any wire,” said Ron.
For more information on green energy and how to cut your carbon footprint, call Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science Innovation Park, on 01782 756995.
Caption: A sparkling display – It is still possible to have a fun and eco-friendly Bonfire Night. Picture: Wikipedia
