Stevens County residents encouraged to swap illegal burn barrels for free compost bins on Saturday

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - June 8, 2009

09-133

Stevens County residents encouraged to swap illegal burn barrels for free compost bins on Saturday

SPOKANE – Stevens County residents can swap burn barrels for free compost bins from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Stevens County Landfill.

The trade-in project involves the Air Quality Program of the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology), the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Stevens County.

It’s illegal to use burn barrels in Washington. By composting yard debris instead of burning, you can:

Produce useful materials for your garden and lawn.
Reduce harmful air pollution caused by illegal burning. Smoke from outdoor burning pollutes the air, causing serious health problems. Much like cigarette smoke, the smoke from burning leaves, grass, brush, and tree needles can cause asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Children, the elderly, and those with breathing problems are most harmed by poor air quality.
Avoid sparking wildfires. Backyard fires that get out of control set off most of the wildfires caused by people. You can be held responsible for the cost of putting out your out-of-control fire, which can be very expensive.
Cut the amount of yard debris that goes into the county landfill.

The Stevens County Landfill is located at 1257 Landfill Road south of Kettle Falls off Highway 25.

###

Media Contact: Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; spre461@ecy.wa.gov

Find out more about alternatives to burning: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/alternativestoburn.htm

Learn more about composting: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0807064.html