Open burning activities in Hong Kong

The Air Pollution Control (Open Burning) Regulation prohibits a number of open burning for the following purposes:

i) the disposal of construction waste;

ii) the clearance of a site in preparation for construction work;

iii) the disposal of tyres; and

iv) the salvage of metal.

For other open burning, the person has to obtain an Open Burning Permit before he is allowed to carry out the open burning activities, unless the burning activity to be carried out is any one of the following exempted activities :

i. burning of candle sticks, joss paper, incense, sacrificial articles and ritual offerings to the deceased, spirits and gods in customary or religious rites, festivals and on festive occasions;

ii. fires used solely for cooking of food for human consumption, or fires used solely for recreational purposes using wood or charcoal or a small amount of firestarter;

iii. fires set for the purpose of fire testing, training and education by any Government fire fighting force or agency;

iv. agricultural burning of materials grown on the site, solely for the purpose of weeding, land disinfection, pest control, or burning to make firebreaks in the countryside; and

v. any open burning which in the opinion of the Director of Environmental Protection is required in an emergency for the purpose of ensuring public safety.

How to apply:

Application shall be made in a standard application form obtainable from any of the Customer Service Counters of the EPD. Submission shall be made, together with the application fee, not less than 28 days prior to the intended conduct of the open burning activity, accompanied by the required information and documents.

Documents required:

1. A completed application form

2. 2 copies of site plan

3. The prescribed application fee (cheque should be made payable to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.)

4. other relevant supporting information justifying the need for the intended open burning activity, if any. Please also refer to the EPD pamphlet "A Guide to the Air Pollution Control (Open Burning) Regulation 1996".