Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Find Alternative To Burning Your Leaves This Year

The annual autumn yard-cleaning is upon us, and that means raking leaves, trimming branches and clearing yard waste before the winter storms hit.

However, Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology (ADPC&E) officials remind citizens that open burning of those yard wastes is banned in Arkansas.

With only a few exceptions, Arkansas' Air Pollution Control Code bans open burning. Although ADPC&E does not seek out violators, complaints from the general public are investigated and violations are subject to fines.

Rather than illegally burning yard wastes, citizens are encouraged to look into recycling efforts, such as composting or mulching. For information on either composting and mulching, contact ADPC&E's recycling division at (501) 682-0812 or an area Cooperative Extension Service agent.

Another alternative for disposal is the curbside pickup for recycling offered by a number of communities at minimal or no cost. Information for specific areas may be obtained from city or county officials.

Several private businesses also offer recycling services throughout the state. For information on these businesses, contact the Recycling Division at ADPC&E or consult the local telephone directory.

Arkansas has banned open burning since 1972, with only a few exceptions, including controlled fires for land clearing and construction operations and fires for recreational and ceremonial purposes, such as high school bonfires.

Arkansas' Air Code also exempts open burning to clear previously uncultivated lands and to burn stubble and other debris on previously harvested fields.

In addition, public officials may permit burning for instruction in fire fighting, the prevention for elimination of a fire hazard and weed abatement.

Copies of the Air Pollution Control Code, also known as Regulation 18, are available for review at ADPC&E's Little Rock office, 8001 National Drive, or by calling the Department at (501) 682-0744.