Air Quality Bureau

Household Trash Burning

The new Open Burning Regulation prohibits the burning of household trash after June 1, 2004.

The new Open Burning Regulation allows this burning until June 1, 2004, only if all these conditions are met:

the trash is burned only on the property where it was generated
the residence is not served by a publicly provided curbside collection service
the residence is more than 10 miles by road from a publicly provided facility for refuse collection (such as transfer station, convenience center, dumpster)
no burning closer than 300 feet to a neighboring residence, workplace, or other place where people congregate (on other property)
burning of these materials is not allowed:
- natural or synthetic rubber products, including tires
- waste oil or used oil filters
- insulated wire
- plastic, including polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") pipe, tubing, and connectors
- tar, asphalt, asphalt shingles, or tar paper
- railroad ties
- wood, wood waste, or lumber which has been painted or which has been treated with preservatives containing arsenic, chromium, pentachlorophenol, or creosote
- batteries
- motor vehicle bodies or interiors
- pathogenic wastes
- asbestos or asbestos containing materials
auxiliary fuel or incendiary devices may be used to start the burning, but no oil heavier than No. 2 diesel, and only the minimum amount necessary