Surreal illustration of environmental paradox: backyard burning contributing to climate change in Mexico.

Is Backyard Burning in Mexico Fueling Climate Change? The Shocking Truth

Nico Varela in Climate & Environment September 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the surprising impact of household waste burning on Mexico's carbon footprint and public health, urging immediate action."

In many developing nations, the unmanaged disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) poses a significant environmental challenge. Among the most concerning practices is the open burning of household waste, a common method where formal waste management systems are lacking. While it's known that this practice contributes to air pollution, the true extent of its impact on climate change has remained largely unquantified.

A groundbreaking study conducted in Mexico has shed light on this issue, revealing the significant role that uncontrolled burning of solid waste by households plays in contributing to the country's carbon footprint. This research, which combines household surveys, waste characterization analysis, and interviews with waste operators, uncovers the alarming rates of backyard burning and its implications for both environmental and public health.

The findings from this study emphasize the urgency of addressing waste management practices in developing countries and the importance of including black carbon emissions from uncontrolled burning in international greenhouse gas inventories. By understanding the scale of this problem, we can work towards implementing effective policies and practices that mitigate the impacts of waste burning on climate change and protect the well-being of communities.

The Extent of Backyard Burning in Mexico: A Community Study

Surreal illustration of environmental paradox: backyard burning contributing to climate change in Mexico.

The study focused on the Huejutla de Reyes Municipality in Mexico, chosen as a representative community where uncontrolled waste burning is prevalent. Researchers conducted extensive household surveys to understand waste disposal practices. What they discovered was startling: in rural areas, where waste collection services are limited, a staggering 92% of households admitted to disposing of waste through uncontrolled burning in their backyards or at unofficial dumps.

Overall, the study estimated that 24% of the total municipal solid waste generated in the municipality was being disposed of through uncontrolled burning. In urban and peri-urban areas, where collection services were more regular (twice-weekly), the rate of backyard burning was significantly lower, accounting for approximately 2% of the total waste generated.

Rural Areas: 92% of households burn waste due to lack of collection services.
Overall Municipality: 24% of all solid waste is burned.
Urban/Peri-Urban Areas: 2% of waste is burned due to collection services.

To put these numbers into perspective, researchers calculated the carbon equivalency of this burning. The results showed that backyard burning represented approximately 6% of the total carbon dioxide equivalent emissions for the entire municipality. Further, it accounted for 8.5% of all fuel-related CO2Eq emissions.

Urgent Call to Action: Reducing Waste Burning for a Healthier Planet

The study's findings serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address uncontrolled waste burning, especially in developing countries. By implementing effective waste management strategies, promoting sustainable practices, and including black carbon emissions in climate inventories, we can mitigate the harmful effects of waste burning on our planet and safeguard the health of vulnerable communities.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary environmental issue highlighted in the research conducted in Mexico?

The research highlights the significant contribution of uncontrolled burning of solid waste by households to Mexico's carbon footprint and its impact on public health. This practice, particularly prevalent in areas with limited waste management systems, releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change and posing health risks to communities.

How does backyard burning in Huejutla de Reyes Municipality, Mexico, compare between rural and urban areas, and what factors contribute to these differences?

In the Huejutla de Reyes Municipality, the rate of backyard burning varies significantly between rural and urban areas. In rural areas, a staggering 92% of households engage in uncontrolled burning due to the lack of regular waste collection services. In contrast, urban and peri-urban areas, which have twice-weekly collection services, show a much lower rate of backyard burning, accounting for approximately 2% of the total waste generated. This disparity underscores the critical role of waste management infrastructure in reducing the practice of backyard burning.

What percentage of the total municipal solid waste generated in Huejutla de Reyes is disposed of through uncontrolled burning, and what is its carbon footprint?

In the Huejutla de Reyes Municipality, approximately 24% of the total municipal solid waste is disposed of through uncontrolled burning. This practice contributes significantly to the municipality's carbon footprint, representing about 6% of the total carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and 8.5% of all fuel-related CO2Eq emissions. This demonstrates the substantial climate impact of this waste disposal method.

Why is addressing waste management practices in developing countries, such as the one in Mexico, crucial for mitigating climate change?

Addressing waste management practices in developing countries is crucial because uncontrolled burning of waste is a major source of pollution and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, including black carbon. The findings of the research conducted in Mexico emphasizes the urgency of implementing effective waste management strategies, promoting sustainable practices, and including black carbon emissions in climate inventories. These steps are essential to mitigate the harmful effects of waste burning, protect the environment, and safeguard the health of vulnerable communities.

Beyond the local impact, how does the research in Mexico influence global climate change efforts, and what specific actions are recommended?

The research in Mexico underscores the need to include black carbon emissions from uncontrolled burning in international greenhouse gas inventories. This is essential for accurately assessing the full scope of climate change impacts. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing effective waste management strategies, such as providing regular waste collection services and promoting sustainable practices to reduce the practice of backyard burning. It also highlights the need to safeguard the health of vulnerable communities by mitigating the harmful effects of waste burning on our planet. These recommendations have implications for both local policies and international climate change mitigation efforts.