FAQ-Waste-Burning

Burning household waste in a "burn barrel" or other receptacle is often done in rural Alberta. While this may have been acceptable many years ago when paper and tin were the common "waste items" it is no longer an acceptable method of "waste disposal" with concerns over air quality, and the type of material commonly found in our homes, including plastic, foam, glues and coated papers.

Is it legal to burn anything in my backyard barrel?

While reduce, reuse and recycle should be your primary considerations, it is legal to burn carbon-based, untreated materials, which might include wood or straw. Other materials should be taken to a facility for recycle or safe disposal. More information about burning and related issues can be found on the "Backyard Burning: Before you Burn, Learn" factsheet.

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