April 16, 2007:
Open burning barrels, commonly used in the past to dispose of various farm wastes, can present a number of health and environmental risks. Because 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, releasing 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.
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Article development courtesy of The Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company