The "Funken" will be burnt in Liechtenstein next weekend. It is important that only untreated wood is burned in order to ensure that customs are upheld.

While in previous years, waste wood was sometimes burned on the bonfire, this has no longer been permitted for some years, as the burning of waste wood endangers both health and the environment. Wood from demolished buildings or construction sites as well as furniture, pallets, fence posts etc. are considered Waste and can contain toxic heavy metals and other substances that are released into the Air when burned. Burning plastic-coated wood outdoors can also release dioxins. Investigations of supposedly "untreated" wood samples, such as wooden pallets, have shown that well over half of these samples contained elevated levels of pollutants.

To protect health and the environment from such pollution, it is important to ensure that only natural, dry wood is used for sparking - as well as for heating with wood at home - and that it is burned with as little smoke as possible.

Contact:
Office of Environment
Sven Bürzle
T +4232366187
Sven.Buerzle@llv.li