Burning leaves on your own plot in November: is a fine really possible?

In brief

• Burning leaves on your own plot in Poland is treated as waste burning, which is prohibited.
• Penalties can reach 500 zlotys and may in some cases go to court.
• Garden leaves belong in the brown bin or at a PSZOK collection point, with rules set by each municipality.

Burning leaves is treated as a waste offence

In Poland, dry leaves collected from a garden count as waste under the law, and burning them in the open air is prohibited. Burning waste outside a combustion installation can be punished with a fine of up to 500 zlotys imposed by the municipal guard, and in some cases the matter can end up in court (Gdzie wyrzucić liście? Sąsiad zadzwoni, przyjedzie straż i wlepi 500 zł mandatu – naTemat.pl). The fact that the fire happens on one's own plot does not change this (W listopadzie można palić liście na własnej działce bez żadnych konsekwencji zamiast wozić je do PSZOK, czy jednak grozi za to grzywna? – Forsal.pl).

Where garden waste should go instead

Autumn leaves and branches normally belong in the brown bin for biodegradable waste, which the ministry lists as the proper container for grass clippings, leaves, flowers and branches from trees and shrubs. Collection arrangements, container sizes and fees are set by each municipality, so the details can differ between neighbouring towns. Where a household has no such container, the usual alternative is delivering the leaves to a selective collection point, known in Polish as PSZOK.

Who is affected

The rules apply to every owner or user of a garden, allotment or house plot, whether or not the property is used year-round. Residents who believe a neighbour is burning leaves can report it to the municipal guard or the fire service, and officers can then check the site and issue a penalty.

What to do before raking

Before burning anything, check the regulations of your gmina, since waste collection rules are set locally. If the garden waste does not fit the brown bin, take it to the collection point or arrange a pickup as permitted in your area.