Greater Napanee Emergency Services is reminding residents that burn barrels are prohibited in Greater Napanee, as per the Town’s Open Air Burning By-law 2019-0021.
Historically, burn barrels have been permitted within the Town; however, in recent years, improper use of burn barrels, including the burning of prohibited materials, has caused a significant issue. Burning materials other than leaves and brush creates a greater risk of fire calls due to out-of-control fires and poses a greater risk to damage on the environment.
The inappropriate usage of burn barrels has been brought to the attention of Greater Napanee Emergency Services and its partners within the KFL&A mutual aid district. With residents’ health, safety, and well-being the top priority for Emergency Services, the decision was made to prohibit burn barrels within Greater Napanee. This decision was brought forward and approved by Greater Napanee Town Council in 2019. Residents can find more information in the Town of Greater Napanee’s Open Air Burning By-law 2019-0021.
Improper Use of Burn Barrels is Hazardous to the Environment:
The improper use of burn barrels, which includes burning household garbage, plastic and other environmental toxins, is hazardous to the health of humans, animals and the environment.
The Lennox & Addington Stewardship Council, a local non-profit volunteer organization working to protect the environment and air quality, explains the negative effects of burning hazardous materials:
“Burning of PVC plastics, for example, leads to the release of dangerous by-products such as dioxin and furans. These contaminants then settle on our pastureland and feed crops and become concentrated in the bodies of farm animals. Ninety per cent of human dioxin exposure is through diet as these substances work their way through the food chain by moving into, and remaining stored, in body fat. Milk, meat and fish products, in particular, have high levels [of dioxin]. The burning of waste when low oxygen and low temperature exists, such as in a burn barrel, can create [hazardous] conditions, allowing the formation of toxic chemicals such as PCBs, dioxin, and compounds of arsenic to form. These smoldering, smoking fires contribute to asthma and other serious respiratory problems.”
How to Properly Dispose of Waste:
Residents are reminded that the Town offers curbside garbage and recycling collection for all Greater Napanee residents to properly dispose of their household waste. Residents are encouraged to partake in safe, environmentally friendly practices such as backyard composting, to help reduce the amount of waste going to the curbside. For information on garbage and recycling collections, or for alternative waste disposal options, please visit the Town’s website at www.greaternapanee.com.
Failure to comply with the Town’s Open Air Burning By-law will result in the issuing of applicable fines.
The Town thanks its residents for their cooperation and for doing their part to keep our community clean, sustaining the environment and maintaining the well-being and health of all residents and visitors.