Why You Shouldn’t Burn Garbage

You might think burning is a relatively easy way to get rid of rubbish, but burning garbage is never a good idea. When you burn garbage on your property, it can release pollutants, toxins and odours into the air that are not only unpleasant, but could pose a health hazard.

Fire Risk

Weather conditions are fickle and can change at the drop of a hat. Even though you may think the fire you’ve created by burning garbage is safely contained, that may not be the case. If a good wind starts whipping through the area, wayward cinders can cause a fire that could raze nearby homes or buildings. Burning garbage is not necessary with so many waste disposal companies available to steer you in the right direction.

Burn Barrels Aren’t Enough

Burn barrels only burn garbage at about 350 degrees Celsius. Because of the low burn factor, gases and solids will interact to create the emission of chemicals like dioxin and furan. Other gases can include carbon dioxide and nitrogen with traces of metals.

Totally Unhealthy

The fumes and toxins emitted by burning garbage can wreak havoc on a person’s health. The short term effects can include skin problems and headaches, while the long-term effects (if you burn garbage on a consistent basis) can include damage to the liver, immune system, mental health, and reproductive system. Many items are especially dangerous and should never be burned, such as manure, oil, rubber, plastic and preservative-laden wood. Burning garbage is especially hard on those with breathing problems as well as on children and the elderly.

Be Safer

If at all possible, follow the three Rs—reduce, reuse and recycle—instead of burning. If burning is the best option, a waste disposal company will make sure your waste gets to a proper facility, where garbage is burned at about 3000 degrees Celsius. There is no way a homeowner can get the same results burning trash on their own. Give a waste disposal company a call to get their take on how you need to dispose of garbage in the right way for all concerned—including the environment.