What You Can Do

There are many alternatives to backyard burning that are more protective of the environment and public safety. Provided below are a few examples of community actions and individual actions to reduce the frequency of backyard burning.

Community Actions

A. Provide curbside pickup for residents

A curbside or door-to-door collection service is a very convenient disposal option for residents. Many burn barrel users, when asked, stated they would stop backyard burning if collection service were available. Local governments or tribes frequently contract with a hauling company and use tax dollars or designated collection service fees to pay the hauler. Another option is for residents to contract directly with a waste hauler.

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Resources

Chapter 4: Collection and Transfer of EPA's Decision Maker's Guide to Solid Waste Management, Volume II (PDF) (38 pp., 177 KB) provides detailed information about setting up a collection system. It covers all aspects of planning and implementing a system from funding mechanisms to equipment.
EPA's Collection Efficiency: Strategies for Success (PDF) (20 pp., 911 KB) uses case studies to examine different techniques communities are using to cut the cost of municipal solid waste collection.
EPA's Getting More for Less: Improving Collection Efficiency (PDF) (45 pp., 901 KB) describes cost-saving methods for collecting residential solid waste and recyclables. It suggests changing collection frequency, improving routing, and automating collection to increase efficiency. This publications also includes case studies of communities that have employed cost-saving collection strategies.

B. Provide an accessible transfer station, convenience center, or drop-off box

Transfer stations, convenience centers, and drop-off sites offer cost effective waste management options for communities. Siting these sites in convenient, centrally located areas can greatly increase use by residents, as can establishing and publicizing regular hours of operation. Facility operators should post the types of waste accepted at the facility and provide assistance to patrons to facilitate use. Some communities charge residents a user fee for bringing their waste to these sites, while others provide free access.

Resources

EPA's Waste Transfer Stations: A Manual for Decision-Making (PDF) (66 pp., 647 KB) defines what a transfer station is and how it relates to municipal solid waste management in the context of a community's total waste management plan. The manual identifies issues and factors to consider when deciding to build a transfer station, planning and designing it, selecting a site, and involving the community.
EPA's Waste Transfer Stations: Involved Citizens Make the Difference (PDF) (28 pp., 209 KB) contains information on the role concerned citizens can play in determining the location and operation of transfer stations.
Chapter 4: Collection and Transfer of EPA's Decision Maker's Guide to Solid Waste Management, Volume II (PDF) (38 pp., 177 KB) provides detailed information about siting, designing, and operating a transfer station. It also provides table comparing the advantages and disadvantages of different transfer station designs.

Case Studies

The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians significantly reduced open burning on its reservation by providing convenient and affordable waste disposal alternatives. The tribe created a recycling program and constructed a transfer station.

C. Develop a recycling program

Recycling programs divert certain materials from the waste stream. This action reduces the volume of waste to be disposed of and the associated costs. Reducing waste volumes and disposal costs also can result in less backyard burning. Most recycling programs provide free service to promote community participation. Including recycling as part of a curbside collection program increases convenience and potentially recycling rates. Another option is to accept recyclables at a transfer station, convenience center, or some other centrally-located drop-off area.

Resources

EPA's Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Web page provides an overview of the recycling process and relevant facts and figures. It also includes a list of educational materials, fact sheets, and guides to establishing effective recycling programs.
EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response's How to Start or Expand a Recycling Collection Program (PDF) (4 pp., 58 KB) is a brochure that lists commonly recycled materials, explains how to obtain support for a recycling program, and suggests ways to find a market for recyclable materials.
Chapter 6: Recycling of EPA's Decision Maker's Guide to Solid Waste Management, Volume II (PDF) (52 pp., 316 KB) is a one-stop resource on establishing a recycling collection program. It lists regulatory and economic considerations and provides program planning and design suggestions.
The National Recycling Coalition (NRC) Consumer Where to Recycle This section of the National Recycling Coalition's Web site lists consumer resources for recycling.

Case Studies

The Institute for Local Self Reliance compiled profiles on waste reduction record-setters. These case studies highlight the recycling achievements of more than 50 organizations in the United States and around the world.

D. Additional Tips for Communities

Begin a telephone line with recorded information on where and when to safely dispose of trash.
Post transfer station or landfill hours of operation in public areas, such as the post office, grocery store, and local newspaper.
Begin a burn barrel return program through which residents receive money, trash bags, or a composting bin in exchange for their burn barrels.
Create public service announcements explaining the danger of backyard burning and providing alternatives.
Schedule regular cleanup days during which waste disposal is free to all residents.

Top of Page

Individual Actions

Provided below are steps you can take to reduce backyard burning. To learn more about each of these, visit EPA's Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Web site.

To find information and contacts specific to your local community, visit Earth911. By entering your ZIP code, Earth911 brings up your community and state specific recycling and disposal information.

A. Dispose of Safely
Have your waste picked up by a licensed waste removal company or take it to a local landfill, transfer station, or a drop-off center. Contact your local environmental or waste management department to find a hauler or landfill.

B. "Precycle"
Think before purchasing. Buy recyclable and reusable products rather than those that will need to be thrown out.

C. Reduce
Avoid disposable items. Buy in bulk or economy size. Buy products that can be reused or refilled. Reduce unwanted mail by instructing companies you do business with to not sell or give away your name and address. Write to Mail Preference Service, c/o Direct Mail Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, New York 11735 or call 212 768-7277 to be removed from national mailing lists.

D. Reuse
Donate unwanted clothing, furniture, and toys to friends and charities. Give unwanted magazines and books to hospitals and nursing homes. Reuse lumber and other construction supplies.

E. Recycle
Separate recyclables from your waste and drop them off at a local recycling center.

F. Compost
Yard clippings, leaves, and food can be easily composted in your backyard. Or compost indoors with worms (vermicomposting)!

G. Mulch
Chip brush and wood to make mulch or decorative landscape material.

H. Become an Active Cconsumer
Write to manufacturers and mail order companies and tell them they have lost your business due to their excess packaging or non recyclable/reusable materials.