A Burning Barrel Ban In Effect In New York State?

The summer months are here, and many people in New York State are cleaning up their property around their homes. Before you burn, there are some laws you should know.

I read a post on Facebook asking if anyone knows where to buy a burning barrel, or a barrel to use as a pit for burning. It caused a large discussion among the comments about whether or not it is legal to use a barrel to burn in.

There are many laws regarding brush and when you can, and can't, burn, and laws that mostly pertain to burning trash.

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As we wrap up school and start the summer cleanup, here is what New York law says.

Can You Burn In A Barrel?

According to the laws in New York State, it may not be the type of device you are burning in, but rather the types of things you are burning.

"Burning refuse, trash, tires, and other solid wastes. This includes burning trash or other solid wastes in a burn barrel or similar device".

The New York State DEC says that burning in a barrel causes issues beyond what you may have considered. "Burn barrels are a very dirty way to dispose of trash. They produce polluted air because fires in barrels are rarely hotter than 500°F. That's not hot enough for complete combustion, and incomplete combustion leads to harmful smoke and soot".

I have seen many burning barrels in the woods near old farms and homesteads that were just dumped with trash still in them that was either only half burned, or filled with glass and other dangerous items. Although it seems like a cleaner and more contained burning option, it might not be the best choice.