How to Incinerate Trash

Incinerating your own trash can create a health-related risk; fire is unpredictable and bad for the environment. However, incineration can help you save the money you'd otherwise have to pay for a waste disposal service to do the job for you, and perhaps even time if you would need to travel far to a disposal dump. Incinerating trash involves more than just burning waste; it requires careful attention, strong caution and the willingness to accept responsibility for the possible consequences.

Things You'll Need

• Respirator
• Fire pit
• Fire extinguisher
• Water hose

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Instructions

• 1

  Find out whether your state allows you burn your own trash. Each state has its own laws and regulations, which may land you in deep consequences. Your state or municipality may have an ordinance on whether you should create the fire with gasoline or matches.

• 2

  Put on a respirator or air filter mask. Incineration is likely to emit harmful substances such as dioxins, particle pollutants, carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), volatile organic compounds

  and ash. Exposure to these fumes can harm vital organs and cause cancer.

• 3

  Keep children or anyone not involved far away, or even indoors. Perform the incineration outside away from vehicles, trees and plants to prevent the risk of forest fires.

• 4

  Use a large barrel, wood stove, or outdoor boiler to make the fire. Generally, the larger the fire pit, the higher chance you will be able avoid any danger. Prevent the fire from growing too large, and maintain it as a small to medium fire you can control.

• 5

  Put out the fire when finished using a fire extinguisher. Since your trash is likely to consist of paper, cardboard, wood and plastics, you will need a Class A fire extinguisher. Have a backup water hose available.