Open burning barrels, commonly used in the past to dispose of various farm wastes, can present a number of health and environmental risks. They typically do not reach temperatures high enough to completely incinerate waste and destroy dangerous chemicals created in the burning process. Barrels tend to smoulder and smoke and can release toxic materials into the surrounding area.

Although the burning of farm wastes is subject to provincial regulation, the best option is to avoid the regulation process by not burning at all - in other words, reduce, reuse and recycle. This is where an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) can help. Developing an EFP can help producers develop a personalized strategy to safely manage farm waste and a number of other on-farm environmental risks.

For those who still choose to burn, technical assistants with the EFP program can help producers understand the regulations pertaining to burning, including which materials can and cannot be legally burned.

Approved incinerators

For producers interested in having an approved incinerator on their farm or ranch, Alberta Environment's Code of Practice for Small Incinerators lays out the legal requirements related to the design factors of small incinerators. The Code is available at the Province of Alberta Queen's Printer Web site at http://www.qp.gov.ab.ca/documents/codes/INCINERATORS.CFM.

What can be burned

According to the Substance Release Regulation of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, wastes that can be legally burned include:

Brush and fallen trees
Wood or wood products that do not contain preservatives
Solid wastes from tree harvesting, straw, stubble, grass, weeds, leaves and tree prunings
Used power or telephone poles that do not contain preservatives
Solid waste from post and pole operations that does not contain preservatives

The Act also defines waste materials that cannot be burned. Prohibited debris includes:

Animal manure
Pathological waste
Wood or wood products containing wood preservatives
Waste materials from construction sites
Rubber, including tires
Plastics, including baler twine
Oil
Containers that held pesticides or other chemicals
Plastic or rubber coated materials, including copper wire
Any waste that causes dense smoke or offensive odours or releases toxic substances

Where to go for help

Information and assistance on managing farm wastes is available from TAs throughout the province.

The information on this website is available for reprint with credit to "The Alberta Environmental Farm Plan, www.albertaEFP.com".
Article development courtesy of The Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company