How you can help improve air quality

Clear skies, healthier lives – Clean Air Night 22 January 2026

On 22 January we will mark Clean Air Night, a national campaign highlighting the importance of reducing air pollution from wood burning. Domestic solid fuel burning, like wood contributes significantly to air pollution.

Air Pollution is the biggest environmental risk to public health and affects us throughout our lives. By making small changes such as reducing wood burning, turning your engine off when parked, choosing to walk or cycle – we can all help improve air quality in our area.

Join us in raising awareness and taking action. Together, we can make Waverley a healthier, cleaner place to live.

Ways to help improve air quality

Local air pollution has local causes. Here are some simple things you can do to help improve air quality in Waverley.  Please see our Clean Air Strategy for more information.

Watch our How you can help improve local air quality and reduce your exposure video.

On the go

• consider purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle
• car share
• maintain your vehicle
• switch off your engine when sat in traffic
• walk and cycle where possible
• use public transport.

Get more ideas, details of local initiatives and advice on going electric from Surrey County Council's transport pages.

At home

• Insulate your home so there is less need to heat or cool it
• Turn the thermostat down
• Group online purchases to reduce the number of deliveries needed or, where possible, choose the 'green' delivery slot
• Instead of having bonfires, use other ways to dispose of your garden waste.
• Wood burning harms our health and the environment, and is a major source of air pollution but if you do wish to burn wood either in a wood burning stove or open fire, follow Defra's practical guidance for open fires and wood-burning stoves. Advice is also available on how to Burn Better.
• Buy, store and season wood to get the most from your wood burning stove 
• If you purchase or replace a wood burning stove choose an appliance that is 'Ecodesign' ready.  These appliances produce lower particulate emissions and became law in the UK from 2022.
• Information on Wood burners and air pollution (Clean Air Hub)
• Be aware of the changes implemented by the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 which requires wood sold for burning to be certified as having a moisture content of less than 20% and banned the sale of traditional bituminous house coal from 1 May 2021.  Sales of loose coal via coal merchants was banned from 2023.
• Surrey Air Alliance - advice on wood burning stoves (short animation video)

Reduce your exposure

• Choose quieter routes when walking or cycling
• Open your windows for ventilation when you cook, clean, do DIY or do other activities that release pollutants directly into your home
• Vulnerable people should check the latest UK Air pollution forecast
• Ventilate bathrooms to avoid steam or moisture build-up and mould growth
• Dust surfaces regularly to limit build-up of allergens
• Avoid burning incense or candles
• Use low-chemical cleaning products and paint (‘low-VOC’ content)