Until now, in many places, it is quite common to simply burn such collected waste on the spot or take it to a place where “nobody sees”.
However, environmentalists warn that in doing so, residents risk receiving a hefty fine in some cases. They explained what and how to burn and what is prohibited.
When you can burn what and where to take it
Specialists of the Department of Environmental Protection advise handling last year’s leaves, pruned dead branches of trees or bushes in the following ways:
- compost this waste;
- take it to the sites specially designed for green waste disposal, set up in each county;
- take out to green waste containers.
According to environmentalists, if you decide to burn leaves, branches or other green waste, it is important to do it properly, following special requirements that describe the procedure for burning this waste in outdoor conditions and prohibitions.
It is allowed to burn dry grass, reeds, fallen leaves, straw, forestry, horticulture, vegetable remains in outdoor conditions only when collected (raked) in piles no closer than 30 meters from the barrels.
Burning must be constantly monitored, after its completion, the smoldering fire must be extinguished by pouring water, sand, etc. It is prohibited to burn stubble, as well as uncut and uncollected (unraked) grass, reeds, cereals and other agricultural crops, as well as uncut or uncut woody plants, except for the cases of burning wild plants provided for in nature management plans.
It is also prohibited to burn any household, industrial and other waste together with (or separately) collected (raked) plants or their parts, except for cases where the wood being burned has not been treated with any chemical substances (paints, varnishes, glues, impregnating substances, etc.).
Parts of woody plants (stems, branches, roots, etc.) or products made from these parts, without the use of the above-mentioned chemicals, are allowed to be burned in outdoor conditions only when there is no possibility to use them for farm purposes (to obtain thermal energy in fuel-burning devices, mulch for production etc.) or it would be unprofitable.
In order to avoid the death of small fauna, it is forbidden to burn wood without reloading it, if it was stacked in piles earlier than a week before burning.
It is prohibited to burn collected (raked) plants, their parts or piles in the forest, high marshes, peaty places or areas located closer than 50 meters from the forest, high marsh or peaty place, as well as in cities and towns (with the exception of bonfires, in places designated for bonfires).
When the amount of raked (collected) plants and their parts burned during one burning exceeds 5 m3 or is burned in several places at the same time, the place and time of burning must be reported to the nearest unit of the State Fire Rescue Service or the relevant forestry department (forestry department) by phone no later than 1 hour in advance ).
In addition, the specialists of the Department of Environmental Protection have prepared a memo on green waste management, what you need to know when managing the environment.
When is the risk of liability and what penalties are provided
For violations of environmental protection requirements when burning dry grass, reeds, crops, fallen tree leaves, straw, forestry and horticultural waste, liability is applied in accordance with Article 286 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
Burning dry grass, reeds, fallen tree leaves, straw, forestry and horticultural waste in violation of environmental protection requirements will result in a fine of 30 to 230 euros for individuals and 60 to 300 euros for managers of legal entities or other responsible persons.
Failure to take fire protection measures after noticing a fire of stubble or unraked (uncollected) straw on your land will result in a fine of between 30 and 170 euros for land owners, users and managers.
Burning stubble, uncut and unraked (uncollected) grass, reeds, cereals and other agricultural crops incurs a fine of 50 to 300 euros for individuals and 120 to 350 euros for managers of legal entities or other responsible persons. The damage caused to the environment is also assessed.
Land owners, users and managers who notice a fire of grass, stubble or uncollected (unraked) straw on their land must immediately inform the emergency telephone number 112 and/or the State Fire Rescue Service, and if the fire endangers the nearest forest, – and the department of the relevant forest administration (forestry).
Land owners, users and managers whose land does not comply with the requirements, as well as other persons who do not comply with these requirements, are punished in accordance with the procedure established by the Code of Administrative Law Violations of the Republic of Lithuania and must compensate the damage caused to the environment in accordance with the procedure established by law.
in 2023 In Lithuania, according to Article 286, parts 1 and 3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, 55 violations were established (for burning dry grass, reeds, cereals, fallen tree leaves, straw, forestry and horticulture waste).
For grass burning, receive 4 notices in 2023, 17 in 2022.
