In the time of our parents and grandparents it was commonplace to bag up some or all of your waste, cart it out to the burn pile or barrel and light it on fi re. Most of us probably stood by and watched it burn. There was no concern for safety except to contain the fi re. In fact, it is so ingrained in our society that burning our trash is seen as our right; a way to dispose of waste free of charge. Some see it is a “tradition” for Vermonters. In Vermont it is illegal to burn your trash. This law was passed to protect our environment and ultimately ourselves. Unfortunately the passing of this law either went unnoticed or was perceived as a way to limit our rights. This is not the case in this day and age. The mentality of yesteryears needs to be re-thought; today the chemicals released during incineration are some of the most toxic chemicals known to science.We as individuals have the right to breathe clean air, we as parents have the responsibility to protect our children. Anyone who is burning their trash is compromising these ideals. Air pollution has no boundaries!
For more information on alternatives to burning please contact Marcus Berry at Northeast Kingdom Waste Management District @ (802) 626-3532 or on the web at outreach@nekwmd.org