If you’re burning garbage, you’re making poison
Resources: Information and education
In Minnesota, backyard burning of garbage is still common. A 2005 survey in the state concluded that 45% of rural Minnesotans dispose of their household wastes in burn barrels, fire pits, or similar devices, burning anywhere from less than a bag of garbage per week to more than two bags per week. A great deal of education is needed to help Minnesota residents understand the risks of burn barrels and make them aware of the alternatives.
The MPCA distributes several resources relating to backyard burning of trash to help counties, cities, and concerned citizens.
Print materials: Fact sheets and handouts
We offer fact sheets and other resources to educate Minnesota residents about the risks of backyard burning. Download or view them online, or contact the agency's This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (651-296-6300 or 800-877-6300) to arrange to have items shipped to you at no charge.
Fact sheet: If you're burning garbage, you're making poison (w-hhw1-17.pdf)- Handout card: If you're burning garbage, you're making poison (w-hhw1-18.pdf)
- Magnet artwork: If you're burning garbage, you're making poison (burnbarrel-magnet.pdf)
Radio: Public service announcements
These PSAs were produced in 2007 for the statewide use in Minnesota to educate residents; voice talent royalties have been paid in full for use in Minnesota.
This collection of PSAs features two sets of radio spots: one voiced by Minnesota's own Ron Schara, the other based on the character Bernie the Burn Barrel. Each PSA has a version without the MPCA tag so it can be customized with local contact information.
Download files
Radio Ads: Burn barrel Public Service Announcements (154Mb) (note: A very big download!)
The full set includes scripts, 3 different spots (4 file formats included), and cue sheet that should be given to broadcasters.
- 128Kbps MP3 (Compressed, middle quality)
- 320Kbps MP3 (Compressed, high quality)
- AIF 16bit 44.1 Khz (Broadcast quality, Mac)
- WAV 16bit 44.1 Khz (Broadcast quality, Windows)
Play samples
Ron Schara - 30 seconds, MPCA tag
Ron Schara - 30 seconds, no tag
Ron Schara - 60 seconds, MPCA tag
Ron Schara - 60 seconds, no tag
Bernie the Burn Barrel - 60 seconds, MPCA tag
Bernie the Burn Barrel - 60 seconds, no tag
Portable display: Bernie the Burn Barrel
This portable display is available from MPCA for use at events like county fairs and public meetings. Contact the MPCA's Learning Resource Center to schedule: Call 651-296-6300 or 800-877-6300 toll free.
Sample editorials for local newspapers and newsletters
Sample editorial Sample text for editorials
Solid waste officers, county commissioners, and concerned citizens can "air their opinions" about the dangers of backyard garbage burning through local newspapers and newsletters. Here are some sample ideas to get started. Changing local behavior starts with local ideas and opinions, so letter-writers are encouraged to customize their message to fit their communities.
Powerpoint presentation
Burn Barrel Reduction Campaign | The MPCA has been using this presentation in front of county boards and other groups to educate on the risks of backyard garbage burning and outline what the agency is pushing statewide to eventually eliminate the practice.
Sample no-burn resolutions for county boards
Sample county resolutionA few counties in Minnesota have formally banned garbage burning at the local level, passing a county board resolution stating garbage service is reasonably available to all residents and making onsite disposal illegal for county residents. Enforcing laws against burning is easier for regulatory officials such as police, forest, or conservation officers when all burning of municipal solid waste in a county is banned.
This generic format is based on actual resolutions used by counties to ultimately ban all burning and burial of garbage by all county residents. The example may be helpful for counties who are interested in banning all garbage burning in their county, but it is only intended to serve as a sample—modification is likely needed. For more assistance in developing a countywide no-burn resolution, contact Mark Rust <mark.rust@state.mn.us> at 651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864.
Research and education
Garbage Burning in Rural Minnesota: Interviews with residents about health, environmental, legal, enforcement and safety concerns regarding burning of garbage and household waste. (2010)
The findings of this study are based on the results compiled from 897 interviews completed with residents of more than 550 communities in eighty of Minnesota’s 87 counties. The report compares 2010 responses to those in the 2005 study.
Clearing the Air: Tools for Reducing Residential Garbage Burning (2005) | 6Mb
This 44-page toolkit for local officials and concerned citizens will help address a serious local health and environmental safety issue: the emission of dangerous pollutants in your community, including dioxins. These toxins are generated in backyards across the country through the all-too-common practice of garbage burning by residents. Compiled by the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) in partnership with the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (now part of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency), and funded through a grant from the U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office.
Full materials from WLSSD's Bernie the Burn Barrel educational campaign are online: www.wlssd.com/pollution_burning.php
Statewide survey: Open Burning in Rural Minnesota (2005) | 1.75Mb
Zenith Research (Duluth) conducted a Minnesota survey of rural residents to determine how many people use onsite disposal—burn barrels, fire pits, stoves, etc.—to handle household wastes. The report offers a statewide overview, as well as breakout summaries on a regional basis and by type of respondent.
Most notably, the survey found that 45% of respondents dispose of their household wastes in burn barrels, fire pits, or similar devices, burning anywhere from less than a bag of garbage per week up to over two bags per week.
For more information about this survey or the latest burn barrel reduction efforts, contact Mark Rust at 651-296-6300.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has conducted detailed research into pollution from backyard burning of trash, including dioxins.
- Emissions of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans from the Open Burning of Household Waste in Barrels (Lemieux, et al, 2000)
- Variables Affecting Emissions of PCDD/Fs from Uncontrolled Combustion of Household Waste in Barrels (Lemieux, et al, 2003)
- Dioxin and Related Compounds
- An Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the United States for the Years 1987, 1995, and 2000 (Nov. 2006)
Educational video: Waste Not, Burn Not! (1996)
A 10-minute video addressing some common misunderstandings about the use of burn barrels for managing household garbage. The video identifies alternatives for handling household wastes that are less dangerous and more effective. Copies distributed through the MPCA's Learning Resource Center: Call 651-296-6300 or 800-877-6300 toll free.
Burn Barrel Buy Back (4B's) Program Strategy Guide
This summary describes the planning, oversight, and administration of Chisago County's Burn Barrel Buy-Back (4B's) Program. This education and incentive effort helped the county reduce back yard garbage burning by 40% in four years.
Links
Great Lakes Trash and Open Burning website
The Great Lakes Bi-National Toxics Strategy dioxin/burn barrel sub-group is made up of experts from Canada and the United States. The group meets monthly to discuss burn barrel issues and work on strategies to reduce open burning in the Great Lakes Basin Area. The group has adopted a strategy and work plan outlining various burn barrel reduction actions. Their comprehensive web site contains burn barrel reduction educational materials, resources, contacts, current initiatives, and more.
U.S. EPA's Backyard Burning site
The U.S. EPA has created a site for consumers and policy makers to learn more about the hazards of backyard burning of trash. They have online information, downloadable publications and images, and links to related sites.
Bernie the Burn Barrel (Western Lake Superior Sanitary District) | www.wlssd.com/pollution_burning.php
Full materials from Bernie the Burn Barrel educational campaign are online, including fact sheets, handout cards, advertising materials, and posters. The campaign has also been compiled into a "Clearing the Air" outreach media kit on CD. Contact Gina Temple-Rhodes at WLSSD (218-722-3336) if you are interested in receiving hard copies of these materials or reprinting and editing these materials for use in your city or jurisdiction.
Air Defenders
The Wisconsin DNR and Wisconsin Environmental Health Association have developed this web site to educate citizens about the health and environmental problems associated with burn barrels and on-site disposal. The Air Defenders teach people about open burning, the problems it creates, and alternatives to burning waste. A curriculum for ages 10 and up features fact sheets, lessons, posters, and multimedia pieces.
Vermont: Don't Burn Vermont
Trash burning is illegal in Vermont, yet many still do it. "Don't Burn Vermont" is a campaign to educate Vermonters about the harmful effects of trash burning, the penalties for violating the law, and low-cost and convenient alternatives to burning trash. (Vermont Agency of Natural Resources)
