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Alternatives to Burning

Before You Burn, Try Alternatives First!

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COMPOSTING

Burning can release a substantial amount of air pollution, the District encourages everyone to use alternative methods to dispose of natural vegetation when feasible.

Organic material such as fruits and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, leaves and grass clippings can be composted into mulch and natural fertilizer for gardens.

The benefits of composting include:

  • Reduces smoke pollution
  • Creates rich, fertile soils
  • Reduces landfill waste
  • Easy and effective way to dispose of vegetation 

For more information on composting, visit: CalRecycle

CHIPPING

Chipping can be a do-it-yourself project or hired out. Neighbors can share in the cost and use of a rented or community-owned chipper, making the task more economical and enjoyable as a neighborhood project.

The benefits of chipping include:

  • An effective treatment of limbs, branches, leaves, pine needles and vegetation.
  • Creates valuable landscaping material used for mulch and weed suppression. 

GREENWASTE PICKUP & RECYCLING

Many communities offer curbside recycling of paper, newspaper, cardboard, magazines, junk mail, as well as green waste. Recycling is also provided at most transfer stations and landfills. Contact your local waste management company to see what is available.

The benefits of Green Waste Pick Up and Recycling include:

  • Grass clippings, leaves, tree limbs and other yard wastes are valuable resources when they are properly collected where they can be used to create renewable energy, compost or mulch. 

PAPER SHREDDING

Paper shredders can be purchased to destroy personal papers or you contact a paper shredding business to do it for you.

*If a residence has a pre-approved Rural Area Exemption from the NCUAQMD, non-glossy paper and cardboard products may be burned.*

If you observe illegal burning, or if you would like to report someone who is a continual problem burner, call the District's Complaint Hotline at 707-444-2233. Contact the local fire department only when there is an immediate fire safety emergency.

Remember-Be a good neighbor-YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!