Written by Sam on November 5, 2026. Posted in Garden Clearance, waste management

After Bonfire Night: How to Get Rid of Garden Waste in St Helens (Without Burning It)

Bonfire Night is here, and for many households across St Helens that means one thing: a big pile of garden waste, old fence panels and broken furniture waiting to go on the fire. But burning rubbish at home can land you with a fine, upset the neighbours and release toxic fumes. Here is what you can and cannot burn, and the better ways to get rid of your autumn waste.

Can you burn rubbish in your garden?

There is no outright ban on garden bonfires in England, but there are rules:

• You cannot cause a nuisance. If smoke regularly affects your neighbours, the council can serve an abatement notice, and breaching one can lead to a fine.
• You cannot let smoke drift across a road in a way that endangers traffic.
• You must not burn household or commercial waste in a way that causes pollution or harms health.
• Businesses cannot burn their waste. Trade waste, including from builders and landscapers, must go to a licensed carrier.

What you should never put on a bonfire

Some materials give off toxic smoke and should never be burned:

• Painted, varnished or treated timber, including fence panels, decking and old furniture
• Plastics, foam, sofas and mattresses
• Tyres, rubber and carpets
• Paint tins, aerosols, chemicals and oils
• Anything containing asbestos, such as old shed roofs or garage panels

Several of these count as hazardous waste and must be disposed of through the right channels. Our hazardous waste disposal service in St Helens can collect them safely.

Better ways to get rid of autumn garden waste

1. Compost what you can

Leaves, grass and soft prunings make excellent compost or leaf mould. It is free, and it is good for the garden.

2. Use your garden waste bin

For small amounts, your council garden waste collection is the easiest option. Check St Helens Council for the current collection calendar, as some areas pause garden collections over winter.

3. Book a waste clearance

If you have more than a bin can handle, such as old sheds, fencing, hedge cuttings or a full garden overhaul, our waste clearance service in St Helens will load it and take it away for recycling.

4. Hire a skip or grab lorry

For bigger projects, such as a winter landscaping job or clearing a plot, a skip gives you space to fill at your own pace. For large volumes of soil, turf or rubble, grab hire in St Helens clears it in a single visit.

5. Get bulky items collected

Broken garden furniture, trampolines and old sofas should never go on a bonfire. Our rubbish removal service in St Helens collects bulky items, with no need to hire a van or queue at the tip.

Bonfire safety if you do have one

• Only burn dry, untreated garden waste, as damp material creates more smoke
• Check the wind direction and tell your neighbours beforehand
• Build the bonfire well away from sheds, fences and trees
• Check the pile for hedgehogs and other wildlife before lighting it
• Never use petrol or paraffin to light it
• Keep water or a hose nearby, and never leave it unattended

Need waste taken away?

North West Waste is a local, Environment Agency-licensed waste company based in Rainford, St Helens. Whatever is left after Bonfire Night, we can clear it legally and recycle as much as possible. Call 01744 758 349 or get a free quote.

Written by Sam on August 10, 2022. Posted in Garden Clearance

Benefits of Garden Waste Skip Hire

Benefits of Garden Waste Skip Hire

While garden clear-out is one of the most productive things any property owner can make, the piles of waste that come after are the most dreadful things to handle. Just the thought of the countless trips going back and forth to the local landfill to discard all those wastes is almost unimaginable.

To get rid of your garden waste in an easy and hassle-free way, you should consider hiring a skip hire for your project. If you are among those who tend to chase away the thought of hiring a skip hire for some reasons, such as the cost and the permits required, this article can help you sort out these concerns.

Below are some of the benefits you can obtain by hiring a skip hire service from the experts – North West Waste Consultants.

Not sure which skip size to hire? Worry not as our team can provide reliable advice if you are not sure which skip is needed for your garden clear-out depending on the type of your property and the estimated amount of waste to be produced after the project.

Our team will take care of organising all the necessary permits.

With enough space for all the waste, there is no need to travel back and forth to the landfill.

Our skips can accommodate and dispose of all common forms of garden wastes, these include:

Organic wastes such as grass, plants, and soil

If the waste items in your garden are not included on the list, you may call our office and speak to one of our specialists to discuss your needs. We offer tailored skip services, so rest assured that we have what you need.

North West Waste Consultants – Garden Waste Skip Hire

At North West Waste Consultants, our mission is to provide everyone with straightforward and cost-effective waste management solutions with minimal to zero impact on the environment. We can collect and dispose of all your waste in the most ethical and responsible way.

We have various sizes of skips available for various types of applications – as small as 4-yard skips for residential and small commercial wastes to 40-yard skips for large projects – we have almost every type of skip you can imagine.

For all your garden waste skip hire needs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with North West Waste Consultants. You may call on 01744 758 349 or email warren@northwestwaste.co.uk to get in touch with our team.

No Comments Written by Sam on July 22, 2022. Posted in Garden Clearance

Benefits Of Hiring a Garden Clearance Company?

Benefits Of Hiring a Garden Clearance Company?

Eco Friendly

Our ethos at NWWC is zero waste to landfill and we maintain this with our principles to conserve the environment. Rather than burning the branches and bushes that have been trimmed we can use them for mulching, or make manure with them.

Remove Fast

Build ups of garden waste can easily attract animals and rodents to the property adding to the problems as well as creating unnecessary additional health risks with pest control professionals potentially needed on top to deal with the pests.

It’s important to get your garden waste cleared as quickly as possible. Left piled on your lawn the grass underneath can soon die off, creating unsightly patches. Organic matter can also start to decay, creating unpleasant smells and attracting insects stopping you from enjoying your garden and getting the full use of your outdoor space.

What can be collected?

The good news is most waste and rubbish can be taken away by our team of clearance experts.

• Garden waste: leaves, small shrubs, weeds, twigs and branches, grass and soil.
• Wood: any remnants of an old garden shed, as well as gates, fencing and general timber.
• Furniture: old garden furniture, (subject to agreement) old sofas, beds and other home furnishings.
• Other home waste: boxes, books, clothes and bric-a-brac.
• Old appliances: washing machines, TVs, computers, printers, photocopiers and cookers.
• Building waste: bags of cement or plaster, plasterboard, tiles, pallets, windows, carpet and most other rubbish.

Love Your Garden

You may have beautiful garden furniture, but if your garden is filthy and messy, no visitor or guest will want to come close. Thus in order to enjoy the serenity and freshness that comes from spending time in a neat garden, you should get a skilled garden clearance service provider to take care of things.

A filthy garden will also have junk that may injure anyone walking around the garden. These could include nails, broken pieces of wood or old containers. These containers will trap rain water, and be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Rodents will also find a safe place in a filthy garden and before you know it, they will sneak inside your main house to wreak more havoc.

If you’re a looking for help to give your garden a fresh new look this summer, don’t hesitate to get in touch with North West Waste to learn more about what we do.For further details please get in touch with North West Waste Consultants via our contact page or call us now on 01744 758 349 for more details about our waste removal services.