OUTDOOR BURNING

You may be surprised to know that outdoor burning is one of the biggest sources of two dangerous toxins - dioxins and furans - in our environment.

Outdoor burning, whether done in a burn barrel or fire pit, emits a host of other contaminants into our air as well, including carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants don't just contaminate our air; they also end up in water and on our land.

The problem is that outdoor burning usually uses poor sources of fuel, like wet wood and leaves, rotten wood or construction waste. These materials burn poorly, creating more pollution. Burning anything made of plastic or oil is even worse - it produces dangerous smoke that can pollute the environment and harm your health. Never burn plastics outdoors!

Outdoor burning in rural areas is cause for concern because of the proximity to agricultural operations, raising the possibility of pollutants entering the food chain.

Alternatives To Outdoor Burning

Always look for ways to manage wastes that don't involve burning them in burn barrels or fire pits. Here are two excellent alternatives to outdoor burning:

• Composting: Composting is the natural process of turning organic material - including food scraps, leaves and weeds - into rich soil conditioner.


• Chipping: Chippers are more affordable if neighbors or friends get together to share the cost and use.

Brush, pruning, land-clearing debris, and wood waste from construction or demolition sites - all these can be turned into usable wood chips.

Wood chips make excellent mulch.