Burning Tyres and Plastics in Czechia: Legal Risks and Fines 2026

Mgr. Daniel Půlpán
Mgr. Daniel Půlpán
13.3.2026 | ARROWS law firm

Burning waste, especially tyres and plastics, may seem like a practical solution, but from a legal perspective it constitutes a serious breach of the law. Czech legislation sets strict rules, and fines for violations can reach up to CZK 10 million for legal entities. In this article, you will learn what legal consequences you may face in 2026 in the Czech Republic, what is permitted and what is not, and how to avoid unnecessary problems.

In the image, we see a specialist discussing the topic of waste incineration.

Quick summary

  • Ban on burning waste: In the Czech Republic, there is a strict ban on burning any waste (including plastics, tyres and wet biodegradable waste) outside facilities designated for that purpose.
  • Burning vegetation: Large-scale burning of vegetation (grass, shrubs) is subject to high fines.
  • Penalties for breaches: Individuals may be fined up to CZK 50,000; legal entities face fines in the millions of Czech crowns—under the Czech Waste Act up to CZK 10,000,000.
  • Practical alternatives: Instead of burning, you can use composting, brown bins (bio-waste) or municipal collection yards; for tyres, there is an obligation of free take-back.
  • Safety and health: Burning these materials in domestic heating appliances releases carcinogenic substances, putting the health of people around you at risk.

Current legislative framework and rules for 2026

In the Czech Republic, in line with EU legislation, rules on waste management and air protection have been tightened over the long term. The key regulations are Act No. 541/2020 Coll., on Waste, Act No. 201/2012 Coll., on Air Protection, and Act No. 133/1985 Coll., on Fire Protection.

A common misconception concerns biodegradable waste: although Czech law allows the burning of dry plant material, it also gives municipalities the power to restrict such burning. In practice, this means that if your municipality has prohibited burning by a generally binding ordinance, you must not burn even dry branches in an open fire. You should always verify the current ordinance on the municipality’s official notice board.

A completely different situation applies to waste plastics, tyres and chemically treated wood. From the perspective of the Czech Waste Act, these materials are always considered waste that is not intended to be burned in households. Their burning is prohibited nationwide with no exceptions.

The legal team at ARROWS regularly handles cases where entrepreneurs or property owners have breached Czech waste-management rules. Our experience shows that prevention and knowledge of local municipal ordinances always pays off.

Legal classification of burning – what exactly the laws prohibit

The burning of materials is regulated under the Czech legal system by three main regulations that complement each other. The Czech Waste Act clearly states that waste must be handed over to a facility designated for waste management. Burning waste outside incineration facilities is prohibited—this applies both to domestic boilers and to open fires.

Section 16 of the Czech Air Protection Act provides that only dry plant materials not contaminated with chemical substances may be burned in an open fire. Furthermore, Section 17 prohibits burning fuels in boilers that are not intended by the manufacturer of the equipment and that do not meet quality requirements. This effectively bans “topping up” heating with plastics, chipboard, old furniture or waste oils.

The Czech Fire Protection Act then expressly prohibits large-scale burning of vegetation. This term refers to disposing of grass, weeds or shrubs by setting fire to an area, which is a highly risky activity and is strictly sanctioned. Individuals who decide to clear a meadow with fire commit an offence.

Related questions on the legal rules and penalties for burning

1. Is there a difference between burning waste in the garden and burning it in a domestic boiler?

Under Czech law, both constitute an offence. However, burning in a boiler is often viewed as even more serious from an air-protection perspective because it concentrates emissions directly in residential areas (so-called local heating sources). In addition, the authorities have the power to inspect a boiler directly in a household if there is repeated, well-founded suspicion of breaches of the law.

2. I have an old permit from the municipality to burn— is it still valid?

You need to verify the current status. Municipalities regularly update their ordinances. A permit granted orally in the past or under an ordinance that is no longer in force will not protect you in 2026; what matters is the currently effective generally binding municipal ordinance.

3. What happens if I breached the ban unknowingly?

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. For offences committed by individuals, negligence is sufficient to establish liability. The authority therefore does not have to prove intent to cause harm; it is enough that you should and could have known that waste must not be burned.

Burning tyres – special cases and their risks

Tyres are a specific type of waste. Burning them is one of the worst disposal methods and is in direct conflict with both the Czech Waste Act and the Czech Air Protection Act.

When tyres burn, thick black smoke is produced containing sulphur oxides, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. For legal entities, disposing of tyres by burning or handing them over to an unauthorised person is a critical compliance failure that can lead to fines in the millions of Czech crowns.

The state-guaranteed method of disposal is take-back. Under the Czech Act on End-of-Life Products, take-back must be free of charge for the end user. Take-back points are typically tyre service centres, car repair shops or municipal collection yards.

Related questions on burning tyres and penalties

1. Can I burn tyres during “Walpurgis Night” or other celebrations?

No—tradition does not override Czech law. Burning tyres is prohibited even as part of cultural events. The fire brigade monitors these events and, if waste burning is detected, imposes fines.

2. What is the penalty for a company that burns tyres on a construction site?

This is an administrative offence under the Czech Waste Act and the Czech Air Protection Act. The fine may reach up to CZK 10 million depending on the scale and the environmental impact.

Burning plastics – a toxic reality

Burning plastics in domestic conditions is extremely dangerous. Temperatures in domestic boilers or open fires are too low for complete combustion, resulting in hazardous emissions.

Burning PVC produces hydrogen chloride and, above all, dioxins, which are among the most potent known carcinogens. Dioxins accumulate in fatty tissues, have mutagenic effects, and their release in residential areas poses a direct health risk. Burning PET bottles and polystyrene also releases phthalate esters and styrene.

From a legal perspective, there is no exception under Czech law that would allow “household disposal” of plastics by burning. It constitutes waste management in breach of the law.

Specific penalties – what you risk if you breach the rules

The level of penalties varies depending on whether the offence was committed by a natural person (an individual) or a legal entity. Individuals face fines of up to CZK 50,000 under the Air Protection Act for burning waste in a boiler or on an open fire.

Under the Fire Protection Act, an individual may be fined up to CZK 25,000 for failing to comply with fire safety rules or for burning vegetation. Legal entities face fines of up to CZK 10,000,000 under the Waste Act for unauthorised handling of waste.

In addition, entrepreneurs may face penalties of up to CZK 500,000 under the Fire Protection Act for burning vegetation. The limitation period for administrative offences is generally one year; for more serious offences, it is three years from the date of commission.

Risks and penalties

How ARROWS helps (office@arws.cz)

Fine for illegal burning: Individual up to CZK 50,000, legal entity up to CZK 10,000,000 (under the Czech Waste Act).

Representation in administrative offence proceedings. We will ensure the defence of your rights before Czech administrative authorities, with the aim of challenging liability or minimising the imposed penalty as much as possible.

Neighbour disputes (nuisance/“imise”): Neighbours may defend themselves against smoke and odour by filing a so-called negatory action under the Czech Civil Code.

Resolving neighbour disputes. We will propose an amicable out-of-court solution, or we will effectively represent you in any court proceedings seeking an injunction to refrain from nuisance.

Compensation for damage and personal injury: Liability for damage caused by toxic fumes or fire.

Legal opinions and defence. We will assess in detail whether the asserted claims are justified and protect you against unjustified or excessive damage claims.

Criminal liability: In the event of a large-scale fire or serious environmental damage, criminal prosecution may follow.

Criminal defence. We will provide immediate legal support and an experienced defence counsel for dealings with the police and representation before Czech criminal courts.

Practical alternatives – what to do instead of burning

Czech legislation is designed to prioritise recycling and material recovery. For biodegradable waste, the ideal solution is composting on your own property or using brown bins, as municipalities in the Czech Republic are required to provide locations for separate collection of bio-waste.

For tyres, use the network of take-back points where drop-off is free of charge for individuals regardless of the tyre brand. Plastics belong in yellow containers for standard packaging plastics, or at municipal collection yards for large items.

Inspections and enforceability

Compliance with the bans is primarily monitored by municipalities with extended powers (ORP), the Czech Environmental Inspectorate, and in the case of open fires also the Fire Rescue Service and the Police of the Czech Republic.

For household boilers, if an authority receives repeated complaints and there is reasonable suspicion that prohibited fuels are being burned, the operator is obliged to allow the inspector access directly to the source and the fuel. Authorities may also carry out ash analyses, which can reliably prove the burning of plastics or chemically treated wood even retrospectively.

Defence in administrative proceedings

If administrative offence proceedings are initiated against you, you have full procedural rights to a defence under Czech administrative law. You may inspect the file, propose evidence, comment on the documents underlying the decision, and file remedies/appeals.

A typical mistake is passivity or relying on “common sense”, as administrative proceedings are a formal process. An attorney can assess whether the authority has gathered sufficient evidence, whether the limitation period has expired, or whether the act was correctly legally classified. In cases of high fines for entrepreneurs, expert legal assistance is essential.

Contact us at office@arws.cz in time, ideally as soon as you receive a request to provide an explanation or a notice of commencement of proceedings.

FAQ – Most common legal questions

1. Can I burn demolition wood (old windows, roof timbers)?

Watch out for coatings. Wood that is varnished, impregnated with stains, glues, or other chemicals must not be burned in standard boilers or on an open fire, because it is considered waste under Czech law.

2. Do I have to report the burning of brushwood to the fire brigade?

Individuals generally do not have this statutory obligation across the board (unless a regional decree requires it during drought), but it is strongly recommended. Legal entities and self-employed individuals have a legal obligation to notify the regional Fire Rescue Service in advance of any burning of flammable substances in open areas.

3. Can a municipality ban the burning of even dry leaves in a garden?

Yes. Under Section 16(4) of the Czech Air Protection Act, a municipality may set conditions by local ordinance for burning dry plant material or ban it entirely; if such an ordinance is in force in the municipality, burning constitutes an administrative offence.

4. Who is responsible if a tenant burns waste?

Primarily the person who committed the offence, i.e., the tenant. However, the property owner may become involved in resolving the issue, especially if it concerns a defective boiler condition or if the owner knew about the unlawful conduct and failed to intervene.

Notice: The information contained in this article is of a general informational nature only and is intended for basic guidance based on the legal situation as of 2026. Although we strive for maximum accuracy, legal regulations and their interpretation evolve over time. We are ARROWS advokátní kancelář, an entity registered with the Czech Bar Association (our supervisory authority), and for maximum client security we are insured for professional liability with a limit of CZK 400,000,000. To verify the current wording of regulations and their application to your specific situation, it is necessary to contact ARROWS advokátní kancelář directly (office@arws.cz). We accept no liability for any damages arising from the independent use of the information from this article without prior individual legal consultation.

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