How to Burn Yard Waste

Burning yard waste is an option for homeowners who want to get rid of household trash. Yard waste includes food scraps, paper, cardboard, leaves and plastics. Many states have regulations for burning trash. Homeowners need to check the laws for their county and learn the proper way to dispose it.

• Contact the fire department and find the regulations for your county. Some counties require homeowners get a burn permit or to burn trash during certain hours. People caught violating the rules can pay up to $10,000 in fines.


• Get a 55-gallon burn barrel. If you do not have one, then other options are: wood stove, open pit or handmade burn box.


• Decide what should be burned. Rubber or plastics are not the right items to burn because they release toxins in the air. Pine straw and leaves can be used as mulch for hedges and flowers. Mulch keeps the soil moist and provides nutrients. Good items to burn are debris, limbs and sticks.


• Find an open space to burn the material. Put the burn barrel in an area not surrounded by trees. This prevents other structures and trees from catching on fire.


• Keep a water hose and shovel on hand. The shovel is used tp break up large embers to prevent from burning fast. Always keep a water hose available to keep a brush from forming or spreading.


• Put the waste in the barrel and light it. 


• Put out the fire with water. Wet down the ashes after burning everything. The purpose is to prevent restarting a fire and getting out of control. Allow the ashes to cool before moving to another location.