Alternatives to burning waste

Waste disposal

The controlled burning of waste in the open may lead to the release of poisonous gases, grit and dust. Residues of harmful chemicals such as lead paints, tars and oils that remain in the ashes can be washed into the ground by rain. This may lead to contamination of the soil, groundwater and surface waters.

Better alternatives to burning your waste in the open include, in order of preference:

  • redesigning your processes to reduce or eliminate waste production
  • undertaking a waste minimisation programme
  • reusing and recycling materials in-house
  • sending waste for recovery (eg oils and solvents) rather than for disposal
  • composting biodegradable wastes
  • burning your waste in an authorised waste incineration plant that produces energy, or a boiler that produces energy from waste
  • burning your waste in other waste incineration plant, furnace or boiler
  • disposing of your waste at an authorised landfill site.

In this guideline: