Project swaps over 500 free compost bins for illegal burn barrels

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - November 19, 2010

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OLYMPIA – An effort to reduce the risks of wildfires and the harmful smoke they produce brought in more than 500 burn barrels in exchange for free compost bins.

It’s illegal to use burn barrels in Washington. Outdoor residential burning of all kinds, which is illegal in most parts of the state, is a leading cause of wildfire ignitions across the state. Wildfires destroy property, harm the environment and endanger people.

Wildfires also produce smoke that can harm people who breathe them. Fine particles in smoke are so small they can easily get into your lungs. Once there, they can cause or worsen heart and breathing problems like asthma, and even death. Children, people with asthma and respiratory illnesses, and adults older than 65 are most at risk.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Department of Ecology (Ecology), several county governments, and a number of local organizations teamed up to collect and destroy barrels.

Nine counties and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation held a series of events throughout the summer and early fall. They collected a total of 553 burn barrels and gave out 523 compost bins.

“Stopping wildfires before they start is critical to protecting people, property and taxpayers’ dollars,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. “This partnership with the Department of Ecology has been a huge success to help cut down on wildfires and bring a greater awareness about the risks of residential burning.”

“We’re pleased so many people responded with enthusiasm to this effort and took action. They realized how using burn barrels sparks destructive wildfires and harms the air we all breathe,” said Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant. “We hope we can continue to work with DNR on projects like this.”

Here’s a breakdown of the exchange program:

Ferry: 21 burn barrels for the same number of compost bins.
Grant: 61 barrels for 42 bins.
Island: 71 barrels for 69 bins.
Kittitas: 60 barrels for the same number of bins.
Lewis: 68 barrels for the same number of bins.
Lincoln: 90 barrels for 81 bins.
Okanogan: 66 barrels for the same number of bins.
Skagit: 61 barrels for the same number of bins.
Stevens: 39 barrels for the same number of bins.
Colville Tribe: 16 barrels for the same number of bins.

DNR and Ecology funded the work with a grant from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

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Media Contacts:
Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; seth.preston@ecy.wa.gov
Janet Pearce, DNR Communications and Outreach, 360-902-1122; janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov

What you can do instead of burning (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/alternativestoburn.htm)