Open burning of waste is a way to get rid of trash. It is used in many countries around the world, but it is more common in low and middle-income countries that do not have enough systems to properly handle waste. Many governments and organizations have said that open burning is a big cause of greenhouse gas emissions. It also creates a mix of harmful air pollutants when waste is burned outside.

At COP26, open burning of waste was discussed as a significant cause of climate change. This process releases many types of pollutants into the air, including short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), such as black carbon (BC). BC emissions are a major source of fine particulate matter, which has a climate change effect that is 5,000 times stronger than carbon dioxide.

Background

The United Nations is worried about the large amounts of black carbon and methane created when waste is burned in the open. Many cities and areas face poor air quality and air pollution because of this type of waste disposal.

When waste is burned in the open, many harmful gases are released into the air. These can include POMs, PAHs, VOCs like furans; heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, and lead; carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrochloric acid, dioxins, and PCBs. Some of these pollutants can also be found in the ash left after burning garbage. Studies by scientists from London's King’s and Imperial Colleges showed that burning polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate produces large amounts of soot. These materials are often found in plastic water bottles.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, "burning anything outdoors can cause a wildfire." Debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in Wisconsin. It results in thousands of acres of forest being burned accidentally each year and puts hundreds of buildings at risk.

At the climate change conference COP26, an official event was held to increase awareness about the problem of open burning of waste. In September 2022, an agreement was made to reduce open waste burning in Africa during the 18th session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN). The conference brought together representatives from 54 African countries.

Sustainability and impact

Reducing open burning can greatly improve air quality in a local area, which can have a big effect on the health of people living there. A report called the Global Review on Safer End of Engineered Life showed that the health of tens of millions of people worldwide was affected by open burning practices, with up to one billion tons of waste burned each year globally.

At a United Nations meeting in 2022, leaders discussed creating jobs as a way to stop the practice of burning waste in Africa. Up to 80% of waste produced in African cities can be recycled, with an estimated value of $8 billion each year. Many organizations see this as a chance to create jobs while improving health and air quality across the continent.

In 2022, EngineeringX released a report about open burning of waste in Africa. The report described both the challenges and opportunities related to this issue. It also planned to organize a meeting with many groups at COP28, aiming to stop open burning of waste in Africa by 2040.