Bonfire Night Safety:  Help Keep Bristol Safe and Report Fly-Tipping 

Avon Fire & Rescue Service, Bristol City Council and Bristol Waste Company have been urging residents to report illegally dumped waste in the run-up to 5 November and the following weekend, a time when piles of waste often turn into unofficial and dangerous bonfires.  

Sofas, mattresses, wood and other household items left in parks and open spaces make ready-made fuel.

Once set alight, these fires can quickly get out of control and put nearby homes, green spaces, and wildlife at risk.. Fly-tips often contain batteries, gas canisters, or vapes, which can explode in a fire. Fires built from unknown materials are unpredictable and can release toxic fumes. 

Many people do not realise that items like fence panels and soft furnishings are often treated with chemicals to make them weatherproof or flame retardant and burning them puts those chemicals straight into the air. 

Fly-tipping is not only bulky items. Even rubbish left next to a litter bin counts. 

Shared Community Responsibility

Ricky Gayfer, Operations Director at Bristol Waste Company said: 

 “We are all responsible for disposing of household waste legally. By doing this it means that those materials are dealt with appropriately and we keep our neighbourhoods safe.”  

How to report it 

Report fly-tipping to Bristol City Council through the FixMyStreet online form. The more detail you give, the faster it can be dealt with.  

Bonfire Night celebrations often continue into the weekend, so report any dumped waste as soon as you see it. 

Getting rid of waste legally 

Here’s how to handle your waste in Bristol: 

• Batteries and small electricals: put them in a separate, clear, untied bag inside your black recycling box for kerbside collection. 

• Larger appliances, empty gas canisters, wood, mattresses and furniture: take them to one of Bristol’s three Household Reuse and Recycling Centres, which are free for residents. 

• Bulky items: book a bulky waste collection via the Bristol City Council website.  

• Hiring someone to take it away: make sure they’re a licensed waste carrier. 

Bonfire Night safety checklist

• Go to an organised bonfire or fireworks event if you can. 

• Never burn fly-tipped or abandoned materials. 

• Check any bonfire pile for hedgehogs and other wildlife before lighting it. 

• Report fly-tipping in your area through FixMyStreet. 

• If a fire gets out of control, call 999.