How to have an eco friendly Bonfire Night
As the nights draw in and winter approaches, you might be thinking ahead to how you’re going to celebrate Bonfire Night this year. From firework displays and bonfires for the masses to sparklers and homemade treats amongst friends and families, many of us in the UK do something to mark the occasion of the Gunpowder Plot.
In this article, we take a look at the environmental impact of Bonfire Night and suggest ways you can have an eco-friendly Bonfire Night.
How does Bonfire Night affect the environment?
Multiple studies have found that Bonfire Night has a negative impact on our environment.
The hundreds of bonfires lit across the country cause a spike in air pollution as gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulphur dioxide are released into the atmosphere at higher than usual levels. This pollutant mix becomes more harmful if bonfires aren’t checked for plastic or metal items which release toxins when burnt.
Roughly 10 million people buy and use fireworks in the UK annually, with spend peaking ahead of Bonfire Night. Unfortunately, just like bonfires, fireworks are a pollutant.
They contain chemicals such as perchlorates and sulphur that contaminate the air, and later the water and soil as the firework shell returns to ground. The litter from exploded fireworks is dangerous to wildlife if not responsibly collected and disposed of.
And we need to make sure we consider wildlife on Bonfire Night. Remember being told to check for hibernating hedgehogs before lighting a bonfire? That’s good advice, but did you also know that the smoke, ash, and noise from a bonfire continues to adversely affect your local wildlife for days after your bonfire is extinguished?
How to have an eco-friendly Bonfire Night
Now we know more about how Bonfire Night affects our environment, let’s see where we can make a few changes to create some more eco friendly Bonfire Night fun.
Here are five easy tips on how to have an eco friendly Bonfire Night:
1. Go to a public celebration
Skip contributing to air pollution and go to a big event instead of lighting your own bonfire and fireworks. There are hundreds of displays put on around the country, often raising money for local charities, so it’s worth it for the environment and your community.
2. Look out for drone displays
Some big Bonfire Night events have started using drones to create fantastic light displays across the night skies. As drones don’t release chemicals in the same way as fireworks and can be powered by renewable energy, they make for an exciting and more eco-friendly alternative to firework displays.
Drone displays are quieter too, so that’s another tick in the box when it comes to supporting our wildlife.
3. Choose eco-friendly fireworks
If you’re having a private display, choose eco-friendly fireworks. Eco-friendly fireworks burn with a clean, nitrogen-based fuel, releasing fewer chemicals into the air and less smoke. These fireworks even make less noise than standard fireworks which is great for all the people, pets, and wildlife who otherwise find Bonfire Night frightening.
4. Go seasonal and veggie with Bonfire Night foods
If you’re planning a gathering before heading out to a Bonfire Night event, follow our usual advice and choose seasonal and plant-based options for your Bonfire Night food.
Traditional Bonfire Night foods such as toffee apples or a delicious, autumnal parkin are great choices, hitting the sweet spot environmentally and gastronomically. Do what you can to avoid waste too – make only what you need or box up any leftovers for a bonus Bonfire Night treat the following day.
5. Use waste materials for Bonfire Night crafts
As with many holidays, celebrating Bonfire Night with children (or artistically-inclined adults) can involve lots of crafts. Make your Bonfire Night crafts eco-friendly by opting out of any Bonfire Night craft kits you see in shops and instead apply your creativity to repurposing your rubbish and recycling. You’d be surprised what you can use to make a great 3D firework craft or rocket without having to buy anything special (just start saving toilet rolls now).
Enjoy your eco friendly Bonfire Night
So, there you have it, it’s possible to have an eco-friendly Bonfire Night with a few simple changes. Now, let’s start thinking about Christmas.
