RESIDENTIAL OPEN BURNING
Burning household trash has been a common practice
for many years. Past generations, whose weekly trash was mostly clean or waxed
paper and cardboard, found burning to be an efficient and satisfying way to keep
house. But times have changed. Today we know that burning household trash
creates dioxin and other toxic substances.
Gone forever are smoldering town dumps that once
attracted bears, raccoons and other wildlife. These have been replaced by
sanitary landfills, refuse drop-off sites and curbside collection. Local
recycling programs now collect many materials that were once burned as waste.
Wisconsin state rules [Administrative Code NR 429]
prohibit the burning of most materials including rubber, plastic,
recyclable paper and
asphaltic
materials (shingles, tar paper). Many local government units have even stricter
ordinances that prohibit or severely restrict open burning of any kind.
What can be Burned?
In addition to cooking, camping, and ceremonial
fires, burning of trees, untreated wood, brush and weeds is permitted if
consistent with local regulations and fire safety. Always check with your local
fire department or fire warden before burning. Over one-third of all Wisconsin
forest fires are caused by someone’s open burning.
By Not Burning, You’ll Help:
Instead of Burning:
-
Have your trash collected in a landfill, or
drop-off site.
-
Recycle paper, cardboard, glass, plastic and
metal.
-
Compost food and yard waste.
Additional Resources:
A printable brochure on open burning:
http://www4.uwm.edu//shwec/publications/cabinet/pdf/burnbarrelprint.pdf
|
