How to Help
What You Can Do
Fundamentally, we believe that the open burning of refuse materials across the country is due to an ignorance of the risks of this activity. The more people become aware of the existing laws, and the health and environmental impacts associated with open burning, the less likely they are to keep doing it.
Spread the Word on Social Media. We have created a library of shareable images that you can use to inform your friends and followers about the laws concerning open burning in your state. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Instagram to help spread awareness and stay informed.
Get involved with your community. Read the code on your municipality's website and if it does not mention existing regulations, encourage your council members to include it. Contact your state lawmakers to inform them about the risks of open burning, and encourage them to adopt stronger environmental protections. You can find your representatives by using Common Cause's useful search tool.
Reduce, Reuse Recycle. Buy products with less packaging, sell or donate unwanted items, find out what materials can be recycled in your community, and buy recycled or lightly used products that would otherwise be disposed of or burned.
Talk to Your Neighbors. Many people who burn refuse may not be aware of the risks. Respectful conversation is a good way to inform others about this issue. In the sidebar, there is a link to a useful mailable brochure published by the EPA. We also have our own informative postcard, which you are free to download and mail.
Report Violations. You can report environmental complaints to your state's Department of Environmental Protection.
Spread Awareness
Links to resources and publications by the EPA that can be used in your community:
The Hidden Hazards of Backyard Burning Brochure for state and local governments https://archive.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/web/pdf/residents.pdf
The EPA”s Backyard Burning Photo Gallery offers a selection of images to view or download. Click any image to see it larger or to download a copy. https://archive.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/web/html/gallery.html
The Hidden Hazards for Backyard Burning https://archive.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/web/pdf/resmail.pdf version 2 This template can be used to create your own backyard burning brochure. Space has been provided at the bottom of the "Tools You Can Use" page (1000 characters). On the next panel, however, there is a field in the upper right hand corner allowing you to type a self address. The rest of the panel is blank to allow room for mailing labels.