Where to dispose of the ashes?

A small layer of ash in your wood burning stove can help you light the next fire – but where to dispose of the rest? Is it residual waste? Compost? Or should you spread it in the garden?

Author: Line Nederby
Published: 09. May 2016
Ild i brændeovn

Article

In contrast to the old myth that ashes are a good fertiliser, it is known today that the grey mass contains a high percentage of heavy metal. The noxious substance attains to the plants in your garden through the soil and causes them harm.

In some areas it is not possible to dispose of the ashes outside. Generally, this applies: Ashes can only be used as fertiliser if it is an accredited type of ashes. An eco-friendly way of disposing the ashes is the residual waste.

Please notice: The ashes need to cool down before attaining to the waste, otherwise smouldering could appear. If the wood burning stove should be emptied before these 48 hours the ashes can be kept in a metal bucket.

If you wish to dispose of a huge amount of ashes, there is also the possibility to bring it to the closest garbage dump. Information on which garbage dumps take care of ash can be found at your municipality.

Tips to handling ashes:

  • To vacuum the ashes out of your woodburning stove can harm your vacuum cleaner. Make use of a special ash vacuum cleaner
  • In order to avoid dust in your house, use a coverage when carrying the ash pan to your garbage
  • Even pure wood ashes should not be disposed of in the garden

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