New campaign to reduce wood burning and improve our air
It's the time of year when we want to feel warm and cosy in our homes. For some, this might mean putting your feet up by an open fire or wood burning stoves.
But did you know fumes from your fire could be polluting the local atmosphere and making symptoms worse for neighbours with breathing difficulties like asthma?
That's not something anyone wants on their conscience while they are trying to relax at home, especially while coronavirus is still circulating. Nationally, household burning is the biggest contributor to particulate matter, which is linked with several heart and lung problems and can contribute to premature death in people with existing conditions.
Eastleigh Borough Council is teaming up with three nearby local authorities (Southampton, Winchester and the New Forest) to give residents in the area information and advice on household burning, with the aim of cleaning up our air, thereby improving our health.
Backed with a £60,100 Air Quality Grant from DEFRA, the campaign kicks off this winter and is funded for two years. It will ask residents to reduce the amount of burning they do, and to use cleaner fuels and more efficient appliances when they do. Keep an eye out for the campaign.
Remember, you can avoid burning garden waste by using our garden waste collection service.