Is It Safe to Burn Paper Plates?

It might be tempting to burn away any traces of your presence by throwing your paper plates in the campfire. Don't do it! Burning garbage—even paper products—can release harmful pollution, and items often burn incompletely.

What happens when you burn a paper plate?

Given enough time and heat paper plates can catch on fire in the microwave and they can also contain harmful chemicals that can leach into your food and increase your chances of getting cancer. To start with let's look at what happens when you microwave paper plates.

Is it bad to burn paper?

Home fireplaces, wood stoves, and backyard incinerators are not meant to burn paper. Modern paper contains many harmful chemicals like plastics, varnishes, and even formaldehyde. When burned, these chemicals can be released into the atmosphere and cause serious health problems for anyone who breathes them in.