The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds residents that open burning of materials, such as tree limbs, brush and branches, is not allowed May 1-Sept. 30 — also known as ozone season — under the state’s open burning ban.

The ban prohibits all outdoor burning, with the exception of cooking fires, recreational campfires and ceremonial bonfires using firewood, which are permitted year-round.

Though burning yard waste may resume Oct. 1, burning always emits toxic substances like metals, acids and particulate matter. These toxins can damage the lungs and hearts of healthy people but are especially dangerous for children, older individuals and people living with health conditions.

“DNREC encourages Delawareans to practice good stewardship of our natural resources by following the rules regarding when and what can be legally burned and by considering alternatives to open burning, including composting or using yard waste-disposal sites to divert this material from our landfills and keep our air clean and healthy for everyone to breathe,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin.

Burning grass clippings and leaves is illegal year-round. However, residents are encouraged to consider a backyard compost pile to recycle leaves, grass and certain types of kitchen scraps into a valuable resource. Using homemade or commercial containers keeps the process more organized. Inexpensive compost bins are available from the Delaware Solid Waste Authority and the University of Delaware Extension Offices.

Using compost offers many benefits for home gardens and backyards, as it provides nutrients and beneficial organisms to soil, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, increases soil moisture retention and reduces the amount of organic waste sent to landfills. More information, including what can be added to a compost pile, can be found here.

For residents looking to properly dispose of brush, branches and limbs, DNREC encourages using a yard waste drop-off site as an alternative to residential open burning, regardless of the time of year. More information about these sites, including locations and fees, can be found on the DNREC webpage.

Residents may also contact their trash service to ask about yard waste pickup. Other options include letting cut branches dry out and renting or purchasing a small chipper to make garden mulch or using a mulching mower on small branches and twigs.

For those who choose to burn from Oct. 1-April 30, residents are allowed to burn up to 27 cubic feet (or a stack about 3-by-3-by-3 feet) of cut or fallen limbs, dead branches or shrubbery. Only up to this amount may be burned at one time and must be burned between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. More information can be found online.

Burning trash or garbage, construction and other debris, old tires and other materials considered toxic or hazardous is illegal at all times in Delaware. Tickets issued for open-burning violations are punishable by fines of $500 to $1,500, plus court costs.