Burning Household Trash - it's against the Law

Contact:  Leelanau County Solid Waste Council

Burning Your Household Trash Does Not Make it Go Away

The temptation to throw unwanted items from the house, garage and garden into a pile or barrel and light it may be strong.  But wait! Don’t light that match!

Not only is backyard burning harmful to your health and the environment, it is also against the law.   Public Act 102 of 2012 prohibits trash burning of household waste that contains plastic, rubber, foam, chemically treated wood, textiles, electronics, chemicals, hazardous materials.

Backyard burning of household trash releases toxins into the air. The harmful dioxins and furans that are produced in the burning process don’t simply go up in smoke. They settle on plants and waterways and are in the ash that is produced. From the air, the toxins and ash can find their way into the dirt of your vegetable garden and into the food that you eat. Kids playing in the area may be exposed to them as well. They can cause serious health concerns such as rashes, nausea, dizziness and headaches, burning or itching eyes and nose, coughing, aggravation of respiratory ailments, and an increase of heart disease.

The longer a fire burns and smolders more toxins are produced.  And there is always a risk of the burn pile getting out of control and creating a damaging, accidental fire.

Don’t light that match!  Reduce, reuse, recycle, compost, and then dispose the rest with a commercial waste hauler or your local transfer station.