How should garden waste be disposed of in France if bonfires are not allowed?
Some areas have also banned disposing of green waste at waste centres
Bonfires are still authorised in exceptional circumstances
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Reader Question: Whenever I cut the grass on my property I have multiple bags of garden trimmings. I know I should not burn it as this is prohibited. What can I do instead?
In most cases, déchets verts (green waste) such as trimmings and dead leaves should be composted at home, or taken to a local waste centre (déchetterie) – burning these at home has been banned since 2011.
These rules are in place year-round and not only at certain times of year.
However, some areas are also beginning to implement restrictions on bringing certain green waste, including dead leaves, grass cuttings and prunings, to waste centres, to prevent an excess of garden waste.
This includes the Lot department from 2025 onwards.
Read more: Grass cuttings are no longer accepted at some public tips in France
Residents of these areas are encouraged to compost, mulch, or reuse the trimmings, but you could also take them to a waste centre further from home if you cannot do any of these.
In small quantities, déchets verts can also be placed in brown bins used for food waste.
When can I have a bonfire in France?
Despite the general ban on bonfires for disposing of déchets verts, in some circumstances these are authorised.
This is often the case in areas where waste centres no longer accept it, and especially in the autumn and winter months when disposing of waste from obligatory débroussaillage clearance.
Even in cases where a bonfire is authorised, some mairies require a prior declaration, so it is often best to ask them in advance as exact rules differ.
For example, in the Dordogne, bonfires are tolerated on days with little wind, between October and February, but you must inform the mairie five days in advance, and it must be done in daylight hours.
