Burning Household Waste
Burning Household Waste
Burning household waste is unhealthy. Most food packaging and household garbage have plastics in them that give off toxins when burned. Plastic food containers like for yoghurt and sour cream are made from polystyrene and Mylar. Plastic wraps are made from synthetic polymers such as PVC – polyvinyl chloride. Household trash also releases heavy metals and chemicals when burned. These chemicals are known to cause skin and eye irritations and heavy metals and plastic emissions have been linked to cancer and birth defects.
The harmful smoke and odors will cause complaints from people living nearby to you. To reduce the amount of household waste, consider some of the following alternatives: Reduce - Avoid buying disposable items. Buy bulk or economy sizes. Buy products that can be recharged, reused, or refilled. Recycle - Separate the recyclable items such as newspapers, glass and plastic and tin cans, and prepare for collection or drop-off at local recycling stations. Reuse - Donate unwanted clothing, furniture and toys to friends, relative or charities. Give unwanted magazines and books to hospital or nursing homes. Mend and repair rather than throw away or replace.
STATE REGULATIONS Do not burn any material that creates dense smoke or noxious odors. Burning toxic materials is illegal and dangerous. DEQ regulations prohibit open burning of the following materials at any time, anywhere in Oregon: Household trash and food waste Plastics, like foam cups, meat trays and egg containers Wet garbage Tires or other rubber products Wire insulations Waste oil and other petroleum products Asbestos Automobile parts Dead animals State regulations also give DEQ the authority to prohibit open burning anywhere in the state on a day-to-day basis depending upon air quality and weather conditions. State air quality rules that govern open burning are found in Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 340, Division 264. Open burning violations can result in penalties of up to $10,000 per day per violation.
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