Dark smoke
Dark or black smoke emissions are generally produced by burning non-organic manufactured materials and items, in particular those containing carbon, such as:
- plastics
- tyres
- foams
- treated, impregnated and painted items (windows, doors)
- glued and bonded items (particle board)
- paints, resins and thinners
- bituminous materials (roof felt, roof sealant)
- wet wood and garden waste.
The creation of dark smoke from an industrial or trade premise is an offence under section 1 of The Clean Air Act 1993 and a person found guilty of this offence, shall upon summary conviction be liable to a fine of up to £20,000.
Further information is available from the central government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Ready to Burn website.