Backyard Burning

The control of emissions from burning yard wastes (organic matter) in the backyard falls under local government jurisdiction. The provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation covers larger burns such as those for land-clearing, and does not apply to the burning of “leaves, foliage, weeds, crops, or stubble for domestic…purposes…” Therefore, to reduce smoke from backyard burning practices, local governments need to consider the use of various municipal tools.

Public Awareness (health impacts of smoke)
A backyard burn pile may seem like a small amount of emissions, but the concern is not so much quantity of emissions but also proximity of the emissions to those who would be affected by the smoke.
Burning leaves is wasting a potential resource to enhance garden and green spaces: consider composting instead.

Municipal Programs
To encourage citizens not to burn yard wastes (or other materials) in the backyard, they need to have other options available to deal with these waste materials:

Establish curbside pick-up programs for leaves in the fall, and for tree and shrub prunings in the spring
Establish a free drop-off site for all yard wastes, and ensure the hours of operation are as convenient as possible for homeowners (e.g. consider higher frequency than just a half-day on week-ends, or one day a month).

Establish a comprehensive recycling program to include as many materials as possible (plastics, paper, cardboard etc.) so people have an option to dispose of these materials instead of burning. This is particularly important in communities that may have set maximum limits on the amount of household solid waste picked up each week.

If solid waste bans/limits are in place, ensure adequate recycling options are available so people are not “tempted” to burn household wastes in backyard burn barrels.

Offer residential chipping service for prunings, so people can use the chips as mulch in the garden