Residents in Teddington are reminded of the unpleasant and harmful smoke caused by bonfires and encouraged to cut down on garden waste.

With garden waste collections currently halted to help general waste and recycling collections run as smoothly as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, residents may be tempted to have a bonfire to clear their garden waste.

However, the Council is asking residents who are keen to utilise time at home by gardening to be mindful of producing too much garden waste.

You can do this by letting your garden grow, which will not only produce less garden waste but will also help turn your garden into a haven for wildlife.

For example, plants such as nettles, daisies and buttercups are important sources of food for many insects, including butterflies, so letting weeds grow is not always a bad thing.

Similarly, long grass makes space for wildflowers and an array of plant and insect species. If you must cut your lawn, there is no need to collect the cuttings during spring and summer months as leaving the clippings on the lawn provide it with vital nutrients.

Residents can also produce their own compost at home using suitable kitchen and/or garden waste. The waste will provide a supply of peat-free compost that will naturally enrich garden soil. For simple steps on how to make a compost heap, follow advice from the National Trust.

Cllr Alexander Ehmann, Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, said: "Not only is smoke from bonfires a nuisance for all neighbours, but it also produces carbon monoxide and toxic pollutants.

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"These pollutants can cause a range of health impacts such as exacerbating heart and respiratory conditions, which is particularly concerning during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Thank you to everyone who is remaining patient whilst Townmead Road Re-use and Recycling Centre is closed and our garden waste collection service is paused."