| As of Monday, July 14, 2008, burn barrel ash will no longer be accepted at any SISW disposal site.
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Why is SISW no longer accepting burn barrel ash?
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Every year, tens of thousands of dollars of damage is done to transfer stations, equipment and property when hot ash is improperly dumped at a transfer station. Rather than increase the amount you are charged to dump your materials, we have chosen to no longer accept burn barrel ash as a fire prevention measure.
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I've been burning trash for years and always make sure my burn barrel is cool before I dump - why can't I dump my ash?
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Even a burn barrel that feels cool and has sat for several days may still be smoldering in the center. When these smoldering coals are dumped and exposed to oxygen, they can combust and start fires. Regardless of how long you've been burning your trash and bringing ashes to the transfer stations, we cannot make exceptions to this rule.
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We realize that old habits are hard to break, but switching from burning your household trash to bringing it in to the transfer station is a habit that benefits everyone once it is broken. Burning household trash is:
ILLEGAL - Did you know it is against the law to burn household trash such as paper and plastic in the State of Idaho? You can learn more about Idaho's open burning laws by requesting the brochure "LIGHT IT RIGHT" from any SISW transfer station or your local Department of Environmental Quality office.
UNHEALTHY - Burning items such as plastic, paper and other household waste releases dangerous chemicals such as dioxins, furans, arsenic, benzene and formaldehyde into the air. The ash from burning household trash contains heavy metals such as lead, chromium and mercury that are easily leached into the soil and water.
UNSAFE - Burning household trash is one of the leading causes of wildfires in the United States. Burn barrels are also responsible for a large number of structural fires every year.
UNNEIGHBOURLY - Smoke from trash fires can carry for several miles and can aggrivate lung diseases such as emphysema, lung cancer adn asthma.
UNNECESSARY - If you are bringing burn barrels to the transfer station, you can just as easily bring your trash instead. In addition, household garbage collection is now available in many rural areas at a reasonable price.
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Who can I talk to about this policy?
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If you would like to speak to someone regarding this policy, please contact Southern Idaho Solid Waste's main office at 208-432-9082. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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