Garbage and construction debris typically includes items on the prohibited items list of the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, and therefore may not be burned. Municipal bylaws may also restrict this practice. See Municipal Smoke-Control Bylaws to find out more.
Yet even where it is not explicitly outlawed, burning of garbage and construction debris should be avoided. Burning of garbage releases a number of toxic chemicals into the air, including dioxins, furans, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These chemicals have a wide range of potential effects, including cancer, lowered immunity, disorders of the nervous system, and interference with child development. Dioxins and furans are among the most toxic chemicals in the world: they are long-lasting and dangerous at extremely low levels.
Instead of burning, reduce your waste by avoiding unnecessary packaging and by recycling as much as possible.
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