Smoke and emissions from burning
The burning of solid fuel is a big source of PM2.5 emissions. PM2.5 is invisible to the naked eye but, if inhaled, it has the potential to cause health implications.
Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) Regulations came into force 1 May 2021. These restrict the sale and supply of wet wood and bitumen coal.
If you use solid fuel in your home, you should check that any fuel you use complies with the regulations by checking for the ready to burn logo.
Hackney is a designated Smoke Control Area
In most cases, it’s an offence to release dark smoke from a chimney or a fixed boiler anywhere in Hackney. View the full legislation, including exemptions.
In a Smoke Control Area, you can only burn fuel from the list of authorised fuels, unless you’re using a DEFRA approved exempt appliance, such as some boilers, cookers and stoves. You must only use the types of fuel that the manufacturer says you can use in the appliance.
We are proposing a new Smoke Control Area. It would replace the 27 existing orders and cover the whole borough. This includes moored vessels on waterways.
To find out more about the proposal and make any comments or objections, visit Hackney Consultation – Hackney Smoke Control Order 2024.
Rebuilding greener canals
Canals are beautiful green spaces used by lots of residents for walking, cycling and recreational activities. While boats are not a major contributor to overall urban air pollution, fumes from boat engines and stoves can still have impacts on air quality and the effects can be significant in the immediate area.
We are working with Newham Council, Tower Hamlets Council and the Canal & River Trust to help support boaters to reduce harmful emissions and to rebuild cleaner and greener canals for everyone.
If you live in a canal boat, read our flyer on how you can reduce pollution.
Find out more about improving air quality on local waterways.
Bonfires and barbeques
Barbeques in Hackney’s Parks
Barbequing is not permitted in any of Hackney’s parks or green spaces. This is because barbeques are a fire hazard, damage the grass and can worsen air pollution.
A monitoring study on barbeques in London Fields found that the majority of times when there was a significant amount of barbequing, PM10 concentrations would reach ‘very high’ on the daily air quality index (DAQI) in the area.
Gardens
Outdoor barbecues and other garden furniture such as chimineas, firepits or pizza ovens are not covered by the regulations on smoke control areas. However, the smoke that is generated may be considered a statutory nuisance if found to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance.
Ways to reduce air pollution from barbeques:
- use gas-powered barbeques instead of charcoal. Using gas instead of charcoal will reduce particulate emissions
- pre-cook food, especially meat before placing it on the barbeque. This reduces the fat content of food which, when released on a barbeque, can create smoke
- consider the location of the barbeque in relation to the wind direction and closest neighbours. Placing the barbeque out of the prevailing wind direction and away from neighbours reduces the risk of smoke travelling towards others who may find it a nuisance.
Garden bonfires are permitted but you must follow the garden bonfire rules. Household waste should never be burned on a bonfire. Find more details about recycling and waste collection in Hackney.
How can I reduce the impact of burning solid fuel (wood or coal) at home?
Burning wood is no longer a necessity for warming our houses, it’s a luxury that contributes to harmful air pollution. The best solution is to give up burning altogether.
See Hackney’s air quality action plan for more details on how we are improving air quality across the borough.
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