No, burning trash in Colombia violates multiple environmental and public health statutes, including the 2018 National Environmental Licensing System (Decreto 1076) and the 2022 Ley 2256, which criminalizes open burning. Local authorities like the Secretaría Distrital de Ambiente in Bogotá and regional CARs (Corporaciones Autónomas Regionales) enforce these rules, with fines up to 10,000 minimum legal wages and potential criminal liability under Código Penal Article 359 for severe violations.
Key Regulations for Burning Trash in Colombia
- National Environmental Law (Decreto 1076 of 2018): Prohibits open burning of municipal, industrial, or hazardous waste without prior authorization from environmental authorities.
- Ley 2256 of 2022: Classifies unauthorized burning as a contravención ambiental, subject to administrative sanctions and mandatory waste management compliance.
- Local CAR Enforcement: Entities like Corpoamazonia or Carder issue cease-and-desist orders and may require waste segregation under Resolución 0631 of 2015 for air quality standards.
Violations escalate under Decreto 1076 when burning occurs near protected areas or water sources, triggering Plan de Manejo Ambiental obligations. The 2026 Plan Nacional de Gestión Integral de Residuos Sólidos (PNGIRS) further tightens oversight, mandating certified waste disposal over incineration. Exceptions exist for agricultural burning under Resolución 0830 of 2017, but only with prior approval and adherence to burning windows to minimize air pollution.