Do not burn rubbish

Burning rubbish beside the house, by the road or in a field is a habit in many places. But the smoke mixes into the air and into the breath of everyone nearby. Burning plastic and polythene gives off toxic smoke. Children, older people, pregnant women and anyone with asthma or breathing trouble suffer most. The fire can also spread on the wind to a house or a haystack. The alternative is easy. Keep food waste (peel, leaves, scraps) apart; in a pit or container it becomes compost. Sort plastic, paper and bottles and give them to the waste collector or a scrap buyer. Take the rest to the municipality’s or union’s place for rubbish. If a neighbour burns rubbish, no quarrel; tell them politely about the harm of the smoke and show them the alternative.