Open Burning
In Rural Minnesota
Interviews with residents about health,
environmental, legal, enforcement and safety concerns
regarding open burning of garbage and household waste
The Summary Report
Prepared For:
Minnesota Office of
Environmental Assistance
January 2005
Zenith Research Group - Duluth, Minnesota
1 Introduction
The attached report summarizes our research, analysis and
findings concerning garbage and household waste disposal
methods in rural Minnesota and the awareness of state
residents to health, environmental, legal, enforcement and
safety concerns related to open burning of household wastes.
The report analysis and findings are based on survey results
using a questionnaire and methodology developed by Zenith
Research Group, Inc., of Duluth, Minnesota with the
assistance and approval of representatives of the Minnesota
Office of Environmental Assistance in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Zenith Research Group, Inc., shall have no liability for any
representations (expressed or implied) contained in, nor for
any omissions from, the report.
The information, analysis and findings provided in this report
are intended solely to assist the Minnesota Office of
Environmental Assistance in determining the extent to which
open burning is being practiced in the state and in evaluating
the awareness levels of state residents to concerns about
open burning.
As such, the information within should not be relied upon for
any purpose, nor distributed to nor relied upon by any third
parties who are not negotiating directly with the Minnesota
Office of Environmental Assistance.
Prior to the interview process, Zenith Research Group, Inc.,
obtained a listing of state residents from the Minnesota
Secretary of State. The data was organized by Zenith
Research Group, Inc., to segregate those residents living in
rural areas of Minnesota; persons residing within the
boundaries of a city or community were eliminated from the
interview process. Only those persons with rural or township
addresses were interviewed.
The selection of respondents was made using a systematic
sampling method, whereby a definite pattern was applied in
choosing the potential interview subject.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
PAGE 1
The findings of this study are based on the results compiled
from 834 interviews completed with residents of 470
communities living in eighty of Minnesota’s eighty-seven
counties. A determination to exclude seven counties in the
greater metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul was made
by the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance prior to
the commencement of the project.
The number of calls completed in each of the counties was
determined and distributed based on U.S. Census Bureau
2005 population projections.
A total of 4,961 attempts were made to reach respondents.
Failed attempts were classified as either “no answer” “busy”
“disconnect” “answering machine” or “refused”.
Only persons speaking from their residence were interviewed.
Only one person was interviewed in each household.
In overall terms, the margin of sampling error is +/-3.39% at
the 95% confidence level.
Interviewing of respondents was conducted by employees of
Zenith Research Group, Inc. All interviews were conducted
between 4:30PM and 9:00PM during the period of
December 2—17, 2004. All interviews were completed at
Zenith Research Group, Inc., offices located at 205 West
Second Street in Duluth, Minnesota.
All surveys were tabulated by Zenith Research Group, Inc.,
data personnel and analysis was completed using the
statistical tools and applications of SPSS Analytical Software,
Version 13.0.
This summary analysis was completed by Dushan Skorich,
President of Zenith Research Group, Inc., with assistance of
Patricia McNulty, Vice President.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
PAGE 2
Minnesota Regions of Interest
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
PAGE 3
MINNESOTA REGIONS OF INTEREST
TOTAL INTERVIEWS COMPLETED WITHIN REGION—COUNTIES WITHIN EACH REGION
NORTHWEST
NORTHEAST
CENTRAL
SOUTHWEST
SOUTHEAST
138—16.5%
118—14.1%
231—27.7%
104—12.5%
243—29.1%
Becker
Aitkin
Benton
Big Stone
Blue Earth
Beltrami
Carlton
Cass
Chippewa
Brown
Clay
Cook
Chisago
Cottonwood
Dodge
Clearwater
Itasca
Crow Wing
Jackson
Faribault
Douglas
Koochiching
Isanti
Kandiyohi
Fillmore
Grant
Lake
Kanabec
Lac Qui Parle
Freeborn
Hubbard
St. Louis
Mille Lacs
Lincoln
Goodhue
Kittson
Morrison
Lyon
Houston
Lake of the Woods
Pine
McLeod
Le Sueur
Mahnomen
Sherburne
Meeker
Martin
Marshall
Stearns
Murray
Mower
Norman
Todd
Nobles
Nicollet
Otter Tail
Wadena
Pipestone
Olmsted
Pennington
Wright
Redwood
Rice
Polk
Renville
Sibley
Pope
Rock
Steele
Red Lake
Swift
Wabasha
Roseau
Yellow Medicine
Waseca
Stevens
Watonwan
Traverse
Winona
Wilkin
MINNESOTA REGIONS OF INTEREST
MARGIN OF ERROR WITHIN REGION
NORTHWEST
NORTHEAST
CENTRAL
SOUTHWEST
SOUTHEAST
+/-8.3%
+/-9.0%
+/-6.4%
+/-9.6%
+/-6.3%
According to the Minnesota Department of Administration’s 2005 population estimates, of the state’s 5,197,200
residents, 2,817,310 or 54.2% live within the seven-county metropolitan area. Counties in the metropolitan area
include Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington.
Of the remaining 45.8% (2,379,890), the Department of Administration estimates that 53% (1,261,812) would be
classified as rural residents. The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Administration’s rural classification is
extended to those residents living in jurisdictions of fewer than 2,500 people while other jurisdictions are labeled as
urban area, urban cluster, urban growth area or urbanized area.
For this survey, Zenith Research more closely defined the classifications of urban and rural and selected only those
residents who had a Rural Route postal address or persons identified as living in one of the state’s townships. Using
the Department of Administration’s criteria, 24.28% of the state’s population was eligible to be interviewed while the
percentage utilizing the criteria set by Zenith Research would have been slightly more conservative.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
PAGE 4
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
PAGE 5
INTERVIEWS
12
14
18
3
12
2
7
2
2
2
5
3
21
5
11
4
2
5
3
2
3
COUNTY
Becker
Beltrami
Clay
Clearwater
Douglas
Grant
Hubbard
Kittson
Lake of the Woods
Mahnomen
Marshall
Norman
Otter Tail
Pennington
Polk
Pope
Red Lake
Roseau
Stevens
Traverse
Wilkin
NORTHWEST
St. Louis
Lake
Koochiching
Itasca
Cook
Carlton
Aitkin
COUNTY
77
5
6
10
2
12
6
INTERVIEWS
NORTHEAST
Wright
Wadena
Todd
Stearns
Sherburne
Pine
Morrison
Mille Lacs
Kanabec
Isanti
Crow Wing
Chisago
Cass
Benton
COUNTY
CENTRAL
33
5
8
49
26
10
11
8
5
11
22
18
11
14
INTERVIEWS
Kandiyohi
Jackson
Cottonwood
Chippewa
Big Stone
COUNTY
Yellow Medicine
Swift
Rock
Renville
Redwood
Pipestone
Nobles
Murray
Meeker
McLeod
Lyon
Lincoln
4
4
3
6
6
4
7
4
8
13
9
2
3
14
5
5
5
2
INTERVIEWS
SOUTHWEST
Lac Qui Parle
MINNESOTA REGIONS OF INTEREST
INTERVIEWS COMPLETED WITHIN COUNTIES
Winona
Watonwan
Waseca
Wabasha
Steele
Sibley
Rice
Olmsted
Nicollet
Mower
Martin
Le Sueur
Houston
Goodhue
Freeborn
Fillmore
Faribault
Dodge
Brown
Blue Earth
COUNTY
SOUTHEAST
16
5
6
8
12
5
19
47
12
15
8
8
6
16
12
7
6
7
10
18
INTERVIEWS
2 Demographics
RESPONDENT AGE
AGE
%
%VALID
CUMULATIVE
18 TO 24
2.9
2.9
2.9
25 TO 34
8.3
8.3
11.2
35 TO 44
19.2
19.3
30.6
45 TO 54
25.5
25.7
56.3
55 TO 65
21.1
21.3
77.5
65 TO 74
15.2
15.3
92.2
75 OR OLDER
7.1
7.1
100.0
REFUSED
0.7
X
X
Those persons between 45 and 54 years
of age comprised the largest single
group of respondents. Among those
respondents listing an age, just over 56%
were 54 years of age or younger.
Those respondents living in that region of
Minnesota defined as “Central” were
more likely to be of younger ages than
respondents in other portions of the
state. Respondents living in the
“Northeast” represented the only area of
the state where a majority of the
respondents were over age 55.
RESPONDENT SEX
Just over 69% of those persons
surveyed were women.
STATE REGION—%
AGE
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
18 TO 24
2.2
2.5
4.3
3.8
1.7
25 TO 34
8.0
3.4
13.5
6.7
6.7
35 TO 44
18.2
14.4
20.4
19.2
21.3
45 TO 54
26.3
28.0
27.8
24.0
23.0
55 TO 65
21.2
25.4
17.0
25.0
21.8
65 TO 74
13.1
22.0
12.6
14.4
16.3
75 OR OLDER
10.9
4.2
4.3
6.7
9.2
RESPONDENT SEX—%
MALE
FEMALE
30.9
69.1
PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD
Just under 48% of all respondents
indicated there were two people living in
their immediate household.
PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD—%
1
2
3
4
5+
NA
8.5
47.7
15.8
13.9
13.5
0.5
RESIDENCE STATUS
Just over 95% of all respondents
indicated they own their residence.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
OWN VS RENT—%
OWN
RENT
NA
95.3
3.7
1.0
PAGE 6
2 Demographics
MARITAL STATUS
Over 83% of all respondents indicated
they are married.
MARITAL STATUS—%
MARRIED
SINGLE
NA
83.5
15.8
0.7
EDUCATION LEVEL
Those persons with a high school degree
comprised the largest group of
respondents. Overall, a majority of those
persons surveyed had an education level
greater than a high school degree.
EDUCATION LEVEL—%
GRADE LEVEL COMPLETED
%
CUMULATIVE
5.8
5.8
HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE
36.8
42.6
2-YEAR COLLEGE/TECHNICAL SCHOOL DEGREE
28.9
71.5
4-YEAR COLLEGE DEGREE
19.5
91.0
8.3
99.3
0.7
100.0
LESS THAN HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE
MASTER’S DEGREE OR HIGHER
REFUSED
/ NO ANSWER
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
41% of the entire respondent base
indicated employment at a full time level.
Just over 23% of all persons surveyed
said they had retired from the labor force.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS—%
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT STATUS
FULL TIME
41.0
PART TIME
13.1
SELF EMPLOYED
13.8
1.9
UNEMPLOYED
RETIRED
23.4
STUDENT
1.2
HOMEMAKER
4.7
REFUSED
The highest percentage of full time
employment was registered in the
“Southeast” portion of Minnesota, while
the “Northeast” was the area with the
least number of respondents working full
time and the highest percentage of
respondents who were retired.
/ NA
1.0
STATE REGION—%
EMPLOYMENT
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
FULL TIME
41.3
32.2
41.6
42.3
44.0
PART TIME
13.8
15.3
13.9
12.5
11.1
SELF EMPLOYED
15.9
10.2
8.7
18.3
17.3
0.7
1.7
3.9
1.0
1.2
RETIRED
23.2
33.9
21.2
18.3
22.6
STUDENT
0
0
3.0
2.9
0
3.6
5.9
6.5
3.8
3.3
1.4
0.8
1.3
1.0
0.4
UNEMPLOYED
HOMEMAKER
REFUSED
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
%
/ NA
PAGE 7
2 Demographics
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Among respondents listing their
combined annual household income, the
largest single group was those earning
between $35,000 and $50,000 annually.
A combined 54% of all respondents with
a listed income earned less than $50,000
and a combined 78% of all valid
responses were for those persons living
in households with incomes of less than
$75,000 annually.
ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME—%
INCOME LEVEL
%
%VALID
CUMULATIVE
$20,000
6.5
9.7
9.7
$20,000 TO $35,000
11.0
16.6
26.3
$35,000 TO $50,000
18.5
27.7
54.1
$50,000 TO $75,000
16.1
24.1
78.2
$75,000 TO $100,000
9.1
13.7
91.9
$100,000 TO $150,000
4.4
6.7
98.6
OVER $150,000
1.0
1.4
100.0
33.5
X
X
LESS THAN
REFUSED
Among eligible respondents, those living
in the “Northwest” portion of Minnesota
were most likely to have combined
annual household incomes of less than
$20,000; over 31% of the respondents in
that region listed household incomes of
less than $35,000. The group of
respondents from the “Southeast” was
the only group surveyed to have
registered a double digit percentage of
listed incomes above $100,000 annually.
/ NA
STATE REGION—%
INCOME LEVEL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
$20,000
15.6
9.8
9.3
7.2
7.9
$20,000 TO $35,000
15.6
16.4
12.6
16.9
20.7
$35,000 TO $50,000
36.5
29.5
27.8
25.3
23.2
$50,000 TO $75,000
15.6
24.6
27.8
30.1
22.6
$75,000 TO $100,000
11.5
11.5
16.6
16.9
11.6
$100,000 TO $150,000
2.1
6.6
5.3
3.6
12.2
3.1
1.6
0.7
0
1.8
LESS THAN
OVER
$150,000
FARM / NON FARM RESPONDENTS—%
INCOME LEVEL
FARM
%+
NONE FARM
%+
$20,000
11.5
11.5
8.9
8.9
$20,000 TO $35,000
24.7
36.2
12.9
21.8
$35,000 TO $50,000
23.0
59.2
29.9
51.7
$50,000 TO $75,000
23.0
82.2
24.7
76.4
$75,000 TO $100,000
11.5
93.7
14.7
91.1
$100,000 TO $150,000
5.2
98.9
7.3
98.4
1.1
100
1.6
100
LESS THAN
Over 36% of all respondents living on
farms in Minnesota reported annual
combined household incomes of $35,000
or less compared with just under 22% of
all non-farm rural residents; just over
82% of all farm respondents indicated an
income of $75,000 or less.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
OVER
$150,000
PAGE 8
3 Key Findings
Question 2:
Does your residence have garbage
hauling service, do you dispose of
your garbage and household waste
at a nearby disposal site or do you
use some other method of disposal?
N = 834
DOES YOUR RESIDENCE HAVE GARBAGE HAULING SERVICE, DO YOU
DISPOSE OF YOUR GARBAGE AND HOUSEHOLD WASTE AT A NEARBY
DISPOSAL SITE OR DO YOU USE SOME OTHER METHOD OF DISPOSAL?
DISPOSAL METHOD
PERCENT
GARBAGE HAULING SERVICE
59.5
USE NEARBY DISPOSAL SITE
27.9
SOME OTHER METHOD
12.6
Overall, almost 60% of all respondents indicated their residence
had a garbage hauling service. Those respondents from the
“Central” portion of Minnesota were most likely to indicate they
used a garbage hauling service while those respondents from the
“Southwest” were least likely to use a hauling service.
STATE REGION—%
DISPOSAL METHOD
Among those respondents still living on
farms, 34% said they have a garbage
hauling service, 41% use a nearby
disposal site and 25% said they use
some other method for disposal.
Question 2A:
Approximately how much
do you pay monthly to dispose
of your garbage?
N = 496
Just over 43% of those respondents who
indicated they presently have garbage
hauling service said they pay $20 or less
in monthly fees.
Question 2B:
How many times each month do
you use the disposal site?
N = 233
Over 31% of those respondents who use
a nearby disposal site said they use the
site a single time each month.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
GARBAGE HAULING
50.7
54.2
81.8
46.2
51.4
NEARBY DISPOSAL
42.0
42.4
13.4
24.0
28.4
7.2
3.4
4.8
29.8
20.2
SOME OTHER METHOD
APPROXIMATELY HOW MUCH DO YOU PAY MONTHLY
TO DISPOSE OF YOUR GARBAGE?
MONTHLY DISPOSAL FEE
PERCENT
$20 OR LESS
43.1
$21 TO $25
20.8
$26 TO $30
9.5
MORE THAN
$30
DON’T KNOW /NONE/INCLUDED IN RENT/SOMEONE
ELSE PAYS/DUMPSTER/PAY IN OTHER TIME SPAN
11.7
14.9
HOW MANY TIMES EACH MONTH DO YOU USE THE DISPOSAL SITE?
DISPOSAL SITE USE
PERCENT
ONE TIME
31.3
TWO TIMES
29.2
THREE TIMES
3.9
FOUR TIMES OR MORE
20.6
OTHER
15.0
PAGE 9
3 Key Findings
Question 2C:
Approximately how far from your
home is this disposal site?
N = 233
APPROXIMATELY HOW FAR FROM YOUR HOME IS THIS DISPOSAL SITE?
DISPOSAL SITE MILEAGE
LESS THAN
PERCENT
5 MILES
33.9
5 TO 10 MILES
31.8
11 TO 20 MILES
24.9
MORE THAN
20 MILES
8.6
0.9
NO ANSWER
STATE REGION—%
DISPOSAL SITE
MILEAGE
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
43.1
30.0
22.6
32.0
34.8
5 TO 10 MILES
20.7
38.0
25.8
44.0
34.8
11 TO 20 MILES
31.0
26.0
35.5
4.0
21.7
5.2
6.0
12.9
16.0
8.7
0
0
3.2
4.0
0
LESS THAN
Almost 34% of the respondents who
indicated they used a nearby disposal
site for their garbage said that site was
within 5 miles of their residence. Those
respondents from the “Northwest” portion
of Minnesota who used a nearby
disposal site were more likely to live
closer to the site. Respondents from the
“Southwest” using a disposal site were
more likely to live the furthest from a site.
Of those persons who live within 5 miles
of a disposal site, almost 33% are likely
to use that site four or more times each
month. Among respondents who live
more than 20 miles from a site, 50%
indicated they were likely to use the site
just one time each month.
5 MILES
MORE THAN
NO ANSWER
TIMES SITE USED EACH MONTH
DISPOSAL SITE
MILEAGE
1
2
3
4+
OTHER
27.8
25.3
5.1
32.9
8.9
5 TO 10 MILES
31.1
35.1
5.4
17.6
10.8
11 TO 20 MILES
31.0
34.5
0
8.6
25.9
50.0
10.0
5.0
15.0
20.0
LESS THAN
5 MILES
MORE THAN
Question 2D:
If this facility was closer, would you
use it more often?
N = 233
20 MILES
20 MILES
IF THIS FACILITY WAS CLOSER, WOULD
YOU USE IT MORE OFTEN?
YES
NO
DK/NA
24.0
69.5
6.4
Of those persons who said they would
use the disposal site more often if it were
closer, 55% lived 20 or more miles away
from a site. The level of interest
increased along with the increase in
mileage, rising from 11.4% among those
living within 5 miles, 18.9% among those
between 5—10 miles and 36.2% among
those living between 11—20 miles from a
disposal site.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
PAGE 10
3 Key Findings
Question 3:
Do you occasionally use a
burn barrel, fire pit, fireplace,
wood stove or any other such
method to dispose of your garbage
or household waste,
including paper products?
N = 834
Do you occasionally use a burn barrel, fire pit, fireplace, wood
stove or any other such method to dispose of your garbage or
household waste, including paper products?
No
55.4%
Yes
44.6%
Total Number of “Yes” Respondents = 372
“Yes” Respondents Margin of Error = +/-5.08%
Overall, slightly less than 45% of all
respondents statewide said they
occasionally use a burn barrel, fire pit,
fireplace, wood stove or other such
method to dispose of their garbage or
household waste, including paper
products. Among selected demographic
groupings, those most likely to use one
of the burn options included:
Those respondents residing in the
“Southwest” portion of Minnesota
Those respondents on either end of the
age listings
BURNING
YES / NO
Households with five or more residents
Those persons with a high school degree
or less than a high school degree
Respondents from households with
combined annual incomes of between
$20,000—$35,000
( See next page for additional charts )
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
YES
38.4
35.6
29.9
64.4
58.0
NO
61.6
64.4
70.1
35.6
42.0
BURNING
YES / NO
AGE—%
18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74
75+
YES
58.3
40.6
45.0
41.3
42.0
50.4
52.5
NO
41.7
59.4
55.0
58.7
58.0
49.6
47.5
DISPOSAL METHOD—%
BURNING
YES / NO
Those respondent households that did
not primarily use a garbage service or
nearby disposal site
Respondents paying $30 or more each
month for garbage hauling service
STATE REGION—%
GARBAGE
SERVICE
NEARBY
DISPOSAL
OTHER
YES
24.8
67.4
87.6
NO
75.2
32.6
12.4
MONTHLY GARBAGE FEE—%
BURNING
YES / NO
DK
$20 OR
LESS
$21-$25
$26—$30
$30 OR
MORE
YES
29.7
22.4
21.4
21.3
36.2
NO
70.3
77.6
78.6
78.7
63.8
BURNING
YES / NO
PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD—%
1
2
3
4
5+
YES
45.1
46.0
42.4
40.5
46.9
NO
54.9
54.0
57.6
59.5
53.1
PAGE 11
3 Key Findings
LEVEL OF EDUCATION—%
( See explanation on previous page )
BURNING
YES / NO
LESS THAN
HIGH
SCHOOL
HIGH
SCHOOL
DEGREE
2-YEAR
DEGREE
4-YEAR
DEGREE
MASTER
DEGREE OR
HIGHER
YES
50.0
49.8
42.7
38.0
40.6
NO
50.0
50.2
57.3
62.0
59.4
ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME—%
Among respondents living on farms, 72%
said they occasionally burn their garbage
or household waste.
Question 3A:
Which of the following have you
used to burn waste?
N = 372
Of those persons who said they had
used some burning method to dispose of
their garbage or household waste,
including paper products, almost 53%
listed burn barrel as the most often used.
Question 3B:
What is the primary reason you
burn some of your garbage or
household waste?
N = 371
“Convenience” was most often cited by
those respondents who burn garbage
and household waste as the primary
reason they engage in the action. Just
over 17% of the respondents said they
only burned certain items with paper,
cardboard and yard waste being the
most often mentioned items.
BURNING
YES / NO
LESS
THAN 20K
20K-35K
35K-50K
50K-75K
75K100K
100K150K
150K OR
MORE
YES
46.3
62.0
46.8
39.6
38.2
40.5
50.0
NO
53.7
38.0
53.2
60.4
61.8
59.5
50.0
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING HAVE YOU USED TO BURN WASTE?
BURN METHOD
YES
NO
BURN BARREL
52.7
47.3
STOVE
17.5
82.5
INCINERATOR
3.2
96.8
FIREPLACE
3.5
96.5
30.6
69.4
FIRE-PIT
WHAT IS THE PRIMARY REASON YOU BURN SOME
OF YOUR GARBAGE OR HOUSEHOLD WASTE?
RESPONSE
27.7
CONVENIENCE
GARBAGE SERVICE IS TOO EXPENSIVE
8.6
DROP-OFF SITE IS TOO FAR AWAY
1.3
PICK-UP SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE
9.2
REDUCE WASTE
/ SAVE LANDFILL SPACE
8.9
REDUCE WASTE
/ SAVES MONEY
4.2
ONLY BURN CERTAIN ITEMS
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
PERCENT
17.3
ALWAYS HAVE BURNED
2.1
PRIVACY ISSUE WITH PAPERS
6.3
HEAT RELATED
6.0
OTHER
8.4
PAGE 12
3 Key Findings
Question 3C:
Are these materials among the items
that your would burn?
N = 372
Many respondents identified several of
the offered items as materials they would
burn. Overall, almost 84% of the
respondents said they burn paper
products, including junk mail. Just over
half of all respondents said they
periodically burn cardboard.
ARE THESE MATERIALS AMONG THE ITEMS THAT YOU WOULD BURN?
ITEM / MATERIALS
YES
NO
LEAVES OR OTHER YARD WASTE
38.2
61.8
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS SUCH AS WOOD
SCRAPS, SHINGLES, INSULATION OR PLASTIC PIPING
25.8
74.2
CARDBOARD
52.7
47.3
PLASTIC PACKAGING
26.6
73.4
PLASTIC CONTAINERS SUCH AS SODA BOTTLES,
YOGURT CUPS, KETCHUP BOTTLES
13.2
86.8
PAPER PRODUCTS INCLUDING JUNK MAIL
83.9
16.1
Question 3D:
Approximately how many standard
30-gallon trash bags worth of
garbage or waste might you
typically burn in an average week?
N = 372
Almost 38% of the respondents who said they used one of the
burn methods said they burn a single standard 30-gallon trash bag
of garbage or waste each week; just under 36% said they burn less
than one 30-gallon bag in an average week while an additional
10% of the eligible respondents said they will burn the equivalent
of two 30-gallon bags each week.
Question 3E:
How many times each week do you
typically burn your garbage or
household waste?
N = 372
Slightly more than 40% of the respondents who said they used one
of the burn methods said they burn their garbage or household
waste at least one time each week. Just over 18% said they burn
less than once each week, 11% said they typically burn twice a
week while just under 6% said they burn each day.
Question 3F:
Is there a time of the year when
you’re more likely to burn?
N = 372
IS THERE A TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO BURN?
SPRING
SUMMER
FALL
WINTER
ALL SEASONS
4.3
5.9
6.2
16.9
66.7
Two-thirds of those respondents who burn said they burn during all
seasons of the year.
Question 3G:
Do you know of anyone else
who uses a burn barrel or other
method to burn their garbage
or household waste?
N = 372
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE ELSE WHO USES A BURN BARREL OR OTHER
METHOD TO BURN THEIR GARBAGE OR HOUSEHOLD WASTE?
YES
NO
DK / NA
50.5
46.2
3.2
Over half of the persons who burn their garbage or household
waste know of someone else who also engages in the action.
PAGE 13
3 Key Findings
Question 3H:
What would cause you to choose
another way of getting rid of your
garbage, rather than burning?
N = 372
Over 48% of those respondents who
burn some of their garbage and
household waste, including paper
products, said there was virtually nothing
that would cause them to stop the action.
WHAT WOULD CAUSE YOU TO CHOOSE ANOTHER WAY OF GETTING RID
OF YOUR GARBAGE, RATHER THAN BURNING?
RESPONSE
PERCENT
CHEAPER HAULING RATES
15.5
IF THERE WAS GARBAGE SERVICE
16.9
BETTER RECYCLING CONCERNS
6.9
LEGAL ISSUES
1.4
CLOSER DROP-OFF SITE
2.8
NOTHING
/ WILL NOT STOP
48.2
8.3
OTHER
(Only those who said “No” on Q3)
Question 4:
Have you ever burned your garbage
or household waste?
N = 462
Among respondents who had earlier said
they do not use a burn barrel or other
such device, those from the “Southeast”
portion of Minnesota were most likely to
say they had burned at some point in the
past while those respondents from the
“Northeast” were the least likely to have
a history of burning.
Of those persons who had earlier stated they do not burn their
garbage or household waste, 29.7% said they had previously done
so. Of those persons who still live on a farm in Minnesota, but do
not use a burn method, 50.5% said they used to burn their
garbage or household waste.
BURNING HISTORY
YES / NO
Question 4B:
Why did you stop?
N = 462
Of those respondents who said they had
burned at some other point in history,
almost 32% said they stopped because
of a switch to another form of disposal;
over 21% said the passage of new laws
and ordinances prohibiting the burning
was responsible for the change.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
STATE REGION—%
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
YES
37.6
18.4
22.8
24.3
44.1
NO
62.4
81.6
77.2
75.7
55.9
WHY DID YOU STOP? (BURNING)
RESPONSE
PERCENT
OTHER DISPOSAL METHODS
31.8
LEGAL REASONS/CONCERNS
21.5
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
11.8
CHANGE IN LIFESTYLE
/ PATTERNS
11.1
CHANGE IN RESIDENCE LOCATION
8.9
FIRE DANGER CONCERNS
5.3
OTHER
9.6
PAGE 14
3 Key Findings
Question 5:
Do you own a cabin in Minnesota?
N = 834
Slightly more than 6% of the respondents said they own a cabin in
Minnesota.
STATE REGION—%
DO YOU OWN
A CABIN IN MINNESOTA?
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
YES
5.8
10.2
6.9
3.8
4.9
Those respondents from “Northeast” Minnesota were more likely to
be cabin owners than respondents from elsewhere in the state.
Respondents from the “Southwest” were least likely to be cabin
owners.
Question 5A:
Do you have a garbage hauling
service at the cabin, do you use a
nearby disposal site or do you bring
your garbage home with you?
N = 52
Of the respondents who said they own a
cabin in Minnesota, over 40% said they
bring their cabin garbage home with
them. Almost as many use a nearby
disposal site as use a hauling service.
Question 5B:
Do you ever use any of these
methods to dispose of your garbage
or waste generated at the cabin?
N = 52
Question 5C:
Can you tell me the primary reason
you burn your cabin garbage or
waste?
N=8
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
DO YOU HAVE A GARBAGE HAULING SERVICE AT THE CABIN, DO YOU
USE A NEARBY DISPOSAL SITE OR DO YOU BRING YOUR
GARBAGE HOME WITH YOU?
RESPONSE
PERCENT
GARBAGE HAULING SERVICE
19.2
NEARBY DISPOSAL SITE
21.2
BRING GARBAGE HOME
40.4
DISPOSAL SITE
NO ANSWER
/ BRING IT HOME
15.4
3.8
Of the cabin owners surveyed, few admitted they use any device to
burn their garbage or waste. Overall, less than 4% used a burn
barrel, no one used a stove, no one used an incinerator, no one
used a fireplace and just over 11% said they had used a fire-pit.
Of those respondents who said they do burn their garbage or
waste, a lack of convenient disposal was most often mentioned as
the reason for the action.
PAGE 15
3 Key Findings
Question 6:
Do you live on or own a farm that
is still in operation?
N = 834
Just under 30% (29.9%) of all respondents said they still live on or
own a farm in Minnesota that is still in operation.
DO YOU LIVE ON OR OWN
A FARM THAT IS STILL IN
OPERATION?
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
YES
34.1
5.9
16.9
42.3
46.1
STATE REGION—%
Just over 46% of the respondents from “Southeast” Minnesota
said they sill live on or own a farm; this was slightly more than the
42% of respondents from “Southwest” Minnesota. Those
respondents from the “Northeast” were least likely to live on or
own a farm.
Question 7:
Do you own a business that
operates at a site other than your
home?
N = 834
Less than 6% (5.5%) of all persons surveyed said they own a
business that operates at a site other than their home.
Question 7A:
Do you have a garbage hauling
service at the business, do you use
a nearby disposal site or some other
method of disposal for your
garbage?
N = 46
Among those persons who own a business, 74% said they use a
garbage hauling service, 15% said they use a nearby disposal site
and just under 9% said they use some other method of disposal.
Question 7B:
Do you use any of these methods to
dispose of your garbage or waste
generated at the business?
N = 46
Five respondents said they use one of the burning methods to
dispose of their garbage or waste. Two persons admitted using a
burn barrel and others said they used a stove, incinerator and a
fire-pit.
Question 7C:
Can you tell me the primary reason
you burn your business garbage or
waste?
N=4
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
One respondent said he only burns wood construction scraps,
another said he takes the garbage home with him, another claimed
the information was private and yet another said he burned to rid
himself of the bulk.
PAGE 16
3 Key Findings
Question 8:
Does your household recycle any of
the following materials?
N = 834
DOES YOUR HOUSEHOLD RECYCLE THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS?
RECYCLABLES
PERCENT
PAPER
68.3
CANS
86.3
PLASTICS
71.9
GLASS JARS
/ BOTTLES
74.1
27.4
OTHER
Most respondents listed “cans” as the most often recycled material
in their home. Among the respondents who listed “Other”
recyclables, cardboard and magazines were most mentioned.
DOES YOU HOUSEHOLD
RECYCLE ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING MATERIALS
Among the five regions of the state
surveyed, the respondents from the
“Southeast” were more often likely to
recycle than those persons living
elsewhere.
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
PAPER
64.5
72.0
66.7
63.5
72.4
CANS
81.2
86.4
83.5
89.4
90.5
PLASTICS
68.8
78.0
64.1
72.1
78.2
70.3
74.6
67.5
77.9
80.7
GLASS JARS
Among the various age groups, recycling
was lowest among those between 25-34
years of age. Recycling was consistently
higher among persons 65-74 years old.
Those persons who were more likely to
use a nearby disposal site for their
garbage were also more likely to recycle.
/ BOTTLES
RESPONDENT
AGE
DOES YOU HOUSEHOLD RECYCLE ANY OF
THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS—%
PAPER
CANS
PLASTIC
GLASS
18 TO 24
66.7
91.7
75.0
70.8
25 TO 34
37.7
76.8
44.9
55.1
35 TO 44
64.4
81.9
68.1
67.5
45 TO 54
69.0
88.3
72.3
73.7
55 TO 64
75.0
89.2
77.3
78.4
65 TO 74
78.0
88.2
81.1
84.3
75 AND OLDER
71.2
88.1
74.6
81.4
DOES YOU HOUSEHOLD RECYCLE
ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
MATERIALS
DISPOSAL METHOD—%
GARBAGE
HAULING
DISPOSAL
SITE
OTHER
METHOD
PAPER
67.1
73.4
62.9
CANS
82.3
92.7
91.4
PLASTICS
65.5
82.8
78.1
65.9
86.7
84.8
GLASS JARS
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
STATE REGION—%
/ BOTTLES
PAGE 17
3 Key Findings
In general, recycling declined as garbage
fees increased, in some cases as much
as 20%; 68.7% of those paying $20 or
less a month recycled plastics compared
with 48.3% of those paying $30 or more.
DOES YOU HOUSEHOLD
RECYCLE ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING MATERIALS
DK
$20 OR
LESS
$21-$25
$26-$30
$30 OR
MORE
PAPER
71.6
70.6
68.0
59.6
53.4
CANS
87.8
84.6
80.6
80.9
70.7
PLASTICS
73.0
68.7
66.0
59.6
48.3
73.0
66.8
69.9
59.6
51.7
GLASS JARS
With one exception (paper), those
persons who said they occasionally
burned their garbage or household waste
had higher recycling rates than
respondents who said they did not burn.
NO
PAPER
60.2
74.9
CANS
90.1
83.3
PLASTICS
75.8
68.8
80.9
68.6
/ BOTTLES
DO YOU LIVE ON OR OWN A FARM
THAT IS STILL IN OPERATION—%
DOES YOU HOUSEHOLD RECYCLE ANY
OF THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS
YES
NO
PAPER
59.8
72.0
CANS
87.1
86.0
PLASTICS
69.9
72.8
74.7
73.8
/ BOTTLES
DOES YOU HOUSEHOLD
RECYCLE ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING MATERIALS
PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD—%
1
2
3
4
5+
PAPER
73.2
74.9
65.9
61.2
52.2
CANS
87.3
89.7
88.6
83.6
74.3
PLASTICS
69.0
78.6
68.2
66.4
60.2
73.2
79.6
72.0
72.4
59.3
GLASS JARS
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
DO YOU OCCASIONALLY USE A BURN
BARREL OR OTHER SUCH DEVICE TO
DISPOSE OF YOUR GARBAGE OR
HOUSEHOLD WASTE?—%
YES
GLASS JARS
In all cases, recycling increased from
single respondent homes to those with
two persons before dropping again to the
lowest levels among households with five
or more residents.
/ BOTTLES
DOES YOU HOUSEHOLD RECYCLE ANY
OF THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS
GLASS JARS
Patterns of recycling were fairly uniform
among farm and non-farm respondents,
although a greater percentage of nonfarm respondents recycled paper.
MONTHLY GARBAGE FEE—%
/ BOTTLES
PAGE 18
3 Key Findings
Recycling was consistently highest
among respondents with household
incomes between $50k—$75k and those
with incomes between $100k—$150k.
RESPONDENT
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
PAPER
CANS
PLASTIC
GLASS
$20,000
66.7
75.9
68.5
74.1
$20,000 TO $35,000
62.0
89.1
72.8
82.6
$35,000 TO $50,000
63.6
88.3
71.4
72.1
$50,000 TO $75,000
70.1
91.8
73.1
75.4
$75,000 TO $100,000
63.2
81.6
65.8
68.4
$100,000 TO $150,000
70.3
86.5
75.7
75.7
75.0
87.5
62.5
62.5
LESS THAN
OVER
Question 9:
I’m going to read you four concerns
that have been raised about
garbage burning and I’d like you to
rank them in order of importance.
N = 834
A greater percentage of survey
respondents chose fire danger as the
most important concern related to
garbage burning followed by air and
groundwater pollution. Concern about
odor/smell was rated as least important.
A review of the Mean Scores after
elimination of non-responses indicates
that in overall importance, pollution
received higher overall rankings while
fire danger slipped to third overall.
Health Risks
Mean Score 2.30
Air/Groundwater Pollution
Mean Score 2.13
$150,000
CONCERN
(100% OR RESPONDENTS)
The Mean Score is the central tendency or sum of all
rankings divided by the number of eligible cases.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
I’M GOING TO READ YOU FOUR CONCERNS
THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT GARBAGE
BURNING AND I’D LIKE YOU TO RANK THEM
IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE.
1
2
3
4
DK
HEALTH RISKS
28.3
27.5
24.7
16.1
3.5
AIR/GROUNDWATER POLLUTION
28.8
36.2
21.6
10.0
3.5
ODOR/SMELL
7.4
17.0
23.5
48.6
3.5
FIRE DANGER
33.2
14.6
26.0
23.3
2.9
CONCERN
(RESPONDENTS WHO BURN)
I’M GOING TO READ YOU FOUR CONCERNS
THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT GARBAGE
BURNING AND I’D LIKE YOU TO RANK THEM
IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE.
1
2
3
4
DK
HEALTH RISKS
23.4
29.3
24.2
18.0
5.1
AIR/GROUNDWATER POLLUTION
29.3
34.1
21.0
10.2
5.4
ODOR/SMELL
6.7
18.0
24.7
45.4
5.1
FIRE DANGER
37.1
12.1
23.9
23.1
3.8
Odor/Smell
Mean Score 3.17
Fire Danger
Mean Score 2.40
DOES YOU HOUSEHOLD RECYCLE ANY OF
THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS—%
CONCERN
(FARM RESIDENTS)
I’M GOING TO READ YOU FOUR CONCERNS
THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT GARBAGE
BURNING AND I’D LIKE YOU TO RANK THEM
IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE.
1
2
3
4
DK
HEALTH RISKS
22.5
30.9
21.7
19.7
5.2
AIR/GROUNDWATER POLLUTION
30.1
34.1
20.1
10.0
5.6
ODOR/SMELL
5.6
18.1
25.3
45.8
5.2
FIRE DANGER
36.5
9.2
26.1
22.9
5.2
PAGE 19
3 Key Findings
Question 10:
I’d like you to use a scale of 1 to 5
where 1 will mean you believe
burning garbage is a very serious
problem and 5 will mean burning
garbage is not a problem at all.
What rank would you choose?
N = 831
Mean Score: 3.31
Those respondents with garbage hauling
service were most likely to believe
burning garbage is a problem as were
those respondents who said they did not
occasionally burn and those respondents
who were non-farm residents.
Among the various regions of the state,
those respondents from “Northeast”
Minnesota were more likely to consider
burning a problem while those
respondents from the “Southwest” were
least likely to consider it a problem.
Question 11:
I’d like you to tell me whether you
believe the following statements are
true in your area?
A: Open burning of garbage and
household waste is permitted in my
area.
B: Garbage and household waste
burning regulations are well
enforced in my area.
C: Open burning of garbage and
household waste is not a problem in
my area.
N = 834
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 831
MEAN SCORE 3.31
I’D LIKE YOU TO USE A SCALE OF 1 TO 5 WHERE 1
WILL MEAN YOU BELIEVE BURNING GARBAGE IS A VERY
SERIOUS PROBLEM AND 5 WILL MEAN BURNING
GARBAGE IS NOT A PROBLEM AT ALL. WHAT RANK
WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
VERY
SERIOUS
SOMEWHAT
SERIOUS
NEUTRAL
NOT
SERIOUS
NOT AT ALL
SERIOUS
ALL RESPONDENTS
15.0
12.5
28.8
14.1
29.6
GARBAGE SERVICE
16.0
13.5
29.5
15.6
25.5
NEARBY DISPOSAL
15.5
12.9
26.7
12.9
31.9
OTHER METHOD
9.6
6.7
29.8
9.6
44.2
BURN RESPONDENTS
10.8
8.1
26.8
14.6
39.7
NON-BURN RESPONDENTS
18.4
16.1
30.4
13.7
21.5
FARM RESIDENTS
10.1
9.3
29.1
14.2
37.2
NON-FARM RESPONDENTS
17.1
13.9
28.6
14.0
26.4
NORTHWEST
14.5
10.1
31.2
10.9
33.3
NORTHEAST
19.7
15.4
25.6
12.0
27.4
CENTRAL
16.5
16.1
27.8
17.8
21.7
SOUTHWEST
13.6
5.8
28.2
13.6
38.8
SOUTHEAST
12.3
11.9
30.0
13.6
32.1
STATEMENT
TRUE
FALSE
DK
OPEN BURNING OF GARBAGE AND HOUSEHOLD
WASTE IS PERMITTED IN MY AREA
35.0
51.0
14.0
NORTHWEST
34.8
52.2
13.0
NORTHEAST
19.5
69.5
11.0
CENTRAL
15.6
64.9
19.5
SOUTHWEST
61.5
28.8
9.6
SOUTHEAST
49.8
37.4
12.8
RESPONDENTS WHO BURN
55.6
31.7
12.6
RESPONDENTS WHO DON’T BURN
18.4
66.5
15.2
FARM RESPONDENTS
55.0
32.1
12.9
NON-FARM RESPONDENTS
26.5
59.0
14.5
Those respondents from “Southwest” Minnesota were more likely
to indicate that open burning or garbage and household waste is
permitted in their area while respondents from “Central” and
“Northeast” Minnesota were least likely to believe the burning is
permitted. Persons who burn and live on farms were also more
likely than the general population to indicate that open burning is
permitted in their area.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
PAGE 20
3 Key Findings
Those respondents from “Northwest”
Minnesota were more likely to believe
burning regulations were well enforced
while those in the “Northeast” and
“Central” portions of the state were less
likely to believe this was the case. Those
respondents who burn and live on farms
were less likely than the entire
respondent base to believe regulations
are well enforced.
Respondents from “Southwest”
Minnesota were most likely to believe
that open burning is not a problem in
their area. Respondents who burn were
slightly more likely to believe that burning
is not a problem. Non-farm respondents
were also more likely than farm residents
to believe that open burning is not a
problem in their area.
Question 12:
Using a 1 to 5 scale, tell me
whether you agree or disagree with
these statements—1 will mean you
strongly agree and 5 will mean you
strongly disagree?
N = 834
More than 53% of the respondents with
an opinion agreed with the statement
that backyard burning is illegal with the
exception of some farmers under certain
circumstances. Of the persons who
burned, 48% agreed with the statement
compared with 53% of respondents still
living on farms. Persons in the
“Southwest” were more likely to agree;
those respondents from the “Northwest”
and “Central” were least likely.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
STATEMENT
TRUE
FALSE
DK
GARBAGE AND HOUSEHOLD WASTE BURNING
REGULATIONS ARE WELL ENFORCED IN MY AREA
45.7
29.4
24.9
NORTHWEST
53.6
26.8
19.6
NORTHEAST
43.2
33.9
22.9
CENTRAL
40.7
32.0
27.3
SOUTHWEST
48.1
25.0
26.9
SOUTHEAST
46.1
28.0
25.9
RESPONDENTS WHO BURN
42.7
31.7
25.5
RESPONDENTS WHO DON’T BURN
48.1
27.5
24.5
FARM RESPONDENTS
44.2
32.9
22.9
NON-FARM RESPONDENTS
46.3
27.9
25.8
STATEMENT
TRUE
FALSE
DK
68.6
25.5
5.9
NORTHWEST
65.2
29.7
5.1
NORTHEAST
66.9
27.1
5.9
CENTRAL
70.1
21.6
8.2
SOUTHWEST
73.1
25.0
1.9
SOUTHEAST
67.9
26.3
5.8
RESPONDENTS WHO BURN
69.6
26.1
4.3
RESPONDENTS WHO DON’T BURN
67.7
25.1
7.1
FARM RESPONDENTS
65.1
28.5
6.4
NON-FARM RESPONDENTS
70.1
24.3
5.6
OPEN BURNING OF GARBAGE AND HOUSEHOLD
WASTE IS NOT A PROBLEM IN MY AREA
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 816
Mean Score 2.49
12A: BACKYARD BURNING OF GARBAGE AND
HOUSEHOLD WASTE IS ILLEGAL FOR PEOPLE, WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF SOME FARMERS UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES
STRONGLY
AGREE
AGREE
NEUTRAL
DISAGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
ALL RESPONDENTS
36.6
16.7
23.8
6.9
16.1
BURN RESPONDENTS
34.7
13.3
23.9
8.9
19.2
NON-BURN RESPONDENTS
38.2
19.3
23.7
5.3
13.6
FARM RESIDENTS
38.4
14.7
26.1
5.7
15.1
NON-FARM RESIDENTS
35.9
17.5
22.8
7.4
16.5
NORTHWEST
32.4
14.0
29.4
4.4
19.9
NORTHEAST
43.9
9.6
25.4
4.4
16.7
CENTRAL
31.6
20.4
23.6
10.7
13.8
SOUTHWEST
48.5
17.5
14.6
3.9
15.5
SOUTHEAST
35.3
17.6
23.9
7.1
16.0
PAGE 21
3 Key Findings
12B: BURNING GARBAGE RELEASES POLLUTION THAT
CAN HARM WILDLIFE, LIVESTOCK, CROPS AND THE
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 824
Mean Score 2.19
Those respondents who do not burn their
waste and live off farms were more likely
to agree that burning releases harmful
pollutants than other respondents as
were those respondents who live in the
“Northeast” portion of Minnesota.
ENVIRONMENT
STRONGLY
AGREE
AGREE
NEUTRAL
DISAGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
ALL RESPONDENTS
45.5
19.9
15.7
7.5
11.4
BURN RESPONDENTS
35.6
18.2
18.5
9.5
18.2
NON-BURN RESPONDENTS
53.5
21.3
13.4
5.9
5.9
FARM RESIDENTS
31.4
18.8
20.8
8.2
20.8
NON-FARM RESIDENTS
51.5
20.4
13.5
7.3
7.4
NORTHWEST
36.2
21.0
21.7
5.1
15.9
NORTHEAST
64.7
12.1
14.7
3.4
5.2
CENTRAL
48.5
22.9
12.3
10.6
5.7
SOUTHWEST
36.9
22.3
18.4
5.8
16.5
SOUTHEAST
42.5
19.2
14.6
8.8
15.0
12C: BURNING GARBAGE CAN RELEASE TOXINS THAT
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 819
Mean Score 2.10
Those respondents who burn, live on
farms and in “Southwest” Minnesota
were least likely to agree that burning
garbage releases toxins that work their
way into groundwater.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
WORK THEIR WAY INTO AND CAN CONTAMINATE
GROUNDWATER
STRONGLY
AGREE
AGREE
NEUTRAL
DISAGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
ALL RESPONDENTS
49.2
20.4
12.5
7.2
10.7
BURN RESPONDENTS
39.1
18.9
16.9
9.3
15.8
NON-BURN RESPONDENTS
57.4
21.6
8.8
5.5
6.6
FARM RESIDENTS
36.7
18.0
17.6
9.8
18.0
NON-FARM RESIDENTS
54.5
21.4
10.3
6.1
7.7
NORTHWEST
42.3
22.6
19.0
5.8
10.2
NORTHEAST
69.6
12.2
9.6
5.2
3.5
CENTRAL
51.5
23.3
10.1
7.5
7.5
SOUTHWEST
40.8
21.4
12.6
7.8
17.5
SOUTHEAST
44.7
19.8
12.2
8.4
14.8
PAGE 22
3 Key Findings
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 824
Mean Score 2.00
Those respondents who indicated they
occasionally burn their garbage or waste,
live on or own farms and reside in
“Southwest” Minnesota were more likely
to disagree that chemicals released from
burning garbage can cause serious
health problems in people.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
CHILDREN
STRONGLY
AGREE
AGREE
NEUTRAL
DISAGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
ALL RESPONDENTS
50.5
21.0
14.3
6.1
8.1
BURN RESPONDENTS
45.0
18.3
17.2
7.9
11.7
NON-BURN RESPONDENTS
54.9
23.2
12.0
4.6
5.3
FARM RESIDENTS
42.3
18.3
17.1
8.9
13.4
NON-FARM RESIDENTS
54.0
22.1
13.1
4.8
5.9
NORTHWEST
44.5
21.9
19.7
3.6
10.2
NORTHEAST
68.1
11.2
9.5
6.0
5.2
CENTRAL
49.1
25.9
14.0
6.6
4.4
SOUTHWEST
47.6
21.4
12.6
5.8
12.6
SOUTHEAST
47.9
20.4
14.6
7.1
10.0
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 820
Mean Score 1.80
Those respondents who live on farms in
Minnesota were least likely to agree that
40% of wildfires were caused by careless
burning of debris and that liability was a
factor.
12D: CHEMICALS RELEASED FROM BURNING GARBAGE
CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS IN PEOPLE,
MOST NOTABLY THE ELDERLY, PREGNANT WOMEN AND
12E: OVER 40% OF WILDFIRES ARE CAUSED BY
CARELESS BURNING OF DEBRIS AND RESIDENTS CAN
BE HELD LIABLE FOR DAMAGES
STRONGLY
AGREE
AGREE
NEUTRAL
DISAGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
ALL RESPONDENTS
57.6
19.3
13.7
4.4
5.1
BURN RESPONDENTS
57.1
18.9
12.6
4.9
6.6
NON-BURN RESPONDENTS
57.9
19.6
14.5
4.0
4.0
FARM RESIDENTS
55.5
14.3
15.1
4.1
11.0
NON-FARM RESIDENTS
58.4
21.4
13.0
4.5
2.6
NORTHWEST
55.1
18.1
15.2
5.8
5.8
NORTHEAST
60.7
15.4
14.5
6.0
3.4
CENTRAL
56.2
24.8
12.4
2.7
4.0
SOUTHWEST
60.2
18.4
9.7
4.9
6.8
SOUTHEAST
57.6
16.9
15.3
4.2
5.9
PAGE 23
3 Key Findings
Question 13:
If I told you that each of the
statements were true statements,
using a scale of 1 to 5 where 1
means very likely and 5 means not
at all likely, how likely would you be
to stop burning garbage or
household waste?
N = 834
Among those persons who admitted they
occasionally burn their garbage or
household waste, 46% said they would
likely stop burning in the face of earlier
statements indicating the potential harm
to the environment and people.
Question 14:
Of the following, which is the
most important to you in relation
to open burning?
N = 834
Health effects brought about by open
burning was rated as the most important
concern among all respondents.
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 793
MEAN SCORE 2.17
IF I TOLD YOU THAT EACH OF THE STATEMENTS
WERE TRUE STATEMENTS, USING A SCALE OF
1 TO 5 WHERE 1 MEANS VERY LIKELY AND
5 MEANS NOT AT ALL LIKELY, HOW LIKELY
WOULD YOU BE TO STOP BURNING GARBAGE OR
HOUSEHOLD WASTE?
VERY
LIKELY
SOMEWHAT
LIKELY
NEUTRAL
SOMEWHAT
UNLIKELY
VERY
UNLIKELY
ALL RESPONDENTS
53.8
10.1
15.1
6.8
14.1
BURN RESPONDENTS
36.1
10.0
19.7
10.0
24.2
FARM RESIDENTS
30.8
10.4
23.8
10.0
25.0
NORTHWEST
51.9
8.3
19.5
5.3
15.0
NORTHEAST
74.8
9.6
6.1
4.3
5.2
CENTRAL
59.5
10.9
13.2
6.8
9.5
SOUTHWEST
48.0
9.0
14.0
7.0
22.0
SOUTHEAST
41.3
11.1
19.6
8.9
19.1
OF THE FOLLOWING, WHICH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU IN
RELATION TO OPEN BURNING?
RESPONSE
PERCENT
LOCAL REGULATIONS
11.4
AIR POLLUTION
15.0
GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION
11.5
HEALTH EFFECTS
27.6
9.2
CONVENIENCE
22.2
RISK OF WILDFIRE
3.1
UNCERTAIN
Question 15:
I’m going to read some ways in
which you can be informed about
open burning and its environmental
or health effects. Rate these on a
scale of 1 to 5 with 1 meaning it’s
very effective and 5 meaning it’s
not at all effective?
N = 834
Literature provided with a burning permit
was rated the most effective method of
alerting respondents to the
environmental and health effects of open
burning.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
EFFECTIVE MEDIA
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 833
VERY
EFFECTIVE
SOMEWHAT
EFFECTIVE
NEUTRAL
SOMEWHAT
INEFFECTIVE
VERY
INEFFECTIVE
TELEVISION ADVERTISING
MEAN SCORE 2.42
39.0
18.2
19.6
8.2
15.0
RADIO ADVERTISING
MEAN SCORE 2.66
23.6
23.8
28.2
11.9
12.5
NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING
MEAN SCORE 2.68
24.0
22.7
28.2
11.2
13.9
DIRECT MAIL LITERATURE
MEAN SCORE 3.26
16.7
18.8
17.8
15.4
31.2
LITERATURE WITH
BURNING PERMIT
MEAN SCORE 2.07
48.1
20.7
15.9
6.6
8.7
PAGE 24
4 Extended Review
In this extended review of the survey data, each of the survey questions
with quantitative responses will be analyzed by regions of interest.
RESPONDENT AGE
Question 2:
Does your residence have garbage
hauling service, do you dispose of
your garbage and household waste
at a nearby disposal site or do you
use some other method of disposal?
N = 834
Question 2A:
Approximately how much
do you pay monthly to dispose
of your garbage?
N = 496
STATE REGION—%
AGE
VALID
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
18 TO 24
2.9
2.2
2.5
4.3
3.8
1.7
25 TO 34
8.3
8.0
3.4
13.5
6.7
6.7
35 TO 44
19.3
18.2
14.4
20.4
19.2
21.3
45 TO 54
25.7
26.3
28.0
27.8
24.0
23.0
55 TO 65
21.3
21.2
25.4
17.0
25.0
21.8
65 TO 74
15.3
13.1
22.0
12.6
14.4
16.3
75 OR OLDER
7.1
10.9
4.2
4.3
6.7
9.2
STATE REGION—%
DISPOSAL
METHOD
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
GARBAGE HAULING
59.5
50.7
54.2
81.8
46.2
51.4
NEARBY DISPOSAL
27.9
42.0
42.4
13.4
24.0
28.4
SOME OTHER METHOD
12.8
7.2
3.4
4.8
29.8
20.2
STATE REGION—%
DISPOSAL FEE
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
43.1
55.7
42.2
41.6
39.6
32.0
$21 TO $25
20.8
11.4
26.6
39.8
18.8
22.4
$26 TO $30
9.5
5.7
10.9
34.0
8.3
12.8
11.7
7.1
12.5
29.3
16.7
16.0
14.9
20.0
7.8
13.8
16.7
16.8
LESS THAN
$20
MORE THAN
$30
DON’T KNOW /NONE/
INCLUDED IN RENT/
SOMEONE ELSE PAYS/
DUMPSTER/PAY IN
OTHER TIME SPAN
Question 2B:
How many times each month do
you use the disposal site?
N = 233
STATE REGION—%
DISPOSAL FEE
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
ONE TIME
31.3
25.9
38.0
41.9
36.0
24.6
TWO TIMES
29.2
31.0
34.0
19.4
24.0
30.4
3.9
1.7
4.0
3.2
0
7.2
FOUR TIMES OR MORE
20.6
32.8
18.0
19.4
24.0
11.6
OTHER
15.0
8.6
6.0
15.1
16.0
26.1
THREE TIMES
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
TOTAL
PAGE 25
4 Extended Review
Question 2C:
Approximately how far from your
home is this disposal site?
N = 233
STATE REGION—%
DISPOSAL SITE
MILEAGE
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
33.9
43.1
30.0
22.6
32.0
34.8
5 TO 10 MILES
31.8
20.7
38.0
25.8
44.0
34.8
11 TO 20 MILES
24.9
31.0
26.0
35.5
4.0
21.7
8.6
5.2
6.0
12.9
16.0
8.7
0.9
0
0
3.2
4.0
0
LESS THAN
5 MILES
MORE THAN
20 MILES
NO ANSWER
Question 2D:
If this facility was closer, would
you use it more often?
N = 233
STATE REGION—%
RESPONSE
TOTAL
YES
Question 3:
Do you occasionally use a
burn barrel, fire pit, fireplace,
wood stove or any other such
method to dispose of your
garbage or household waste,
including paper products?
N = 834
Question 3A:
Which of the following have you
used to burn waste?
N = 372
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
24.0
29.3
18.0
25.8
28.0
21.7
NO
69.5
62.1
80.0
71.0
64.0
69.6
DK/NA
6.4
8.6
2.0
3.2
8.0
8.7
BURNING
YES / NO
TOTAL
YES
STATE REGION—%
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
44.6
38.4
35.6
29.9
64.4
58.0
NO
55.4
61.6
64.4
70.1
35.6
42.0
BURN METHOD
TOTAL
STATE REGION—%
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
43.4
21.4
33.3
64.2
69.5
11.7
4.6
11.7
21.9
50.0
17.5
32.1
47.6
21.7
7.5
5.7
INCINERATOR
3.2
1.9
2.4
5.8
1.5
3.5
FIREPLACE
3.5
5.7
9.5
4.3
1.5
1.4
30.6
26.4
19.0
43.5
28.4
30.5
BURN BARREL (ALL)
52.7
% OF BARREL BURNERS BY REGION
Overall, 52.7% of all respondents
who had used one of the burn
methods said they used a burn barrel.
Of those persons, 50% were from the
“Southeast” region of Minnesota.
STOVE
FIRE-PIT
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
PAGE 26
4 Extended Review
Question 3C:
Are these materials among the
items that your would burn?
N = 372
STATE REGION—%
MATERIALS
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
38.2
35.8
23.8
36.2
44.8
41.1
25.8
22.6
16.7
24.6
20.9
32.6
CARDBOARD
52.7
52.8
40.5
53.6
50.7
56.7
PLASTIC PACKAGING
26.6
17.0
4.8
18.8
34.3
36.9
13.2
7.5
2.4
11.6
13.4
19.1
83.9
86.8
85.7
84.1
80.6
83.7
LEAVES OR OTHER YARD WASTE
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS SUCH
AS WEEK SCRAPS, SHINGLES,
INSULATION OR PLASTIC PIPING
PLASTIC CONTAINERS SUCH AS
SODA BOTTLES, YOGURT CUPS,
KETCHUP BOTTLES
PAPER PRODUCTS INCLUDING
JUNK MAIL
Question 3F:
Is there a time of the year when
you’re more likely to burn?
N = 372
Question 3G:
Do you know of anyone else
who uses a burn barrel or other
method to burn their garbage
or household waste?
N = 372
(Only those who said “No” on Q3)
Question 4:
Have you ever burned your
garbage or household waste?
N = 462
Question 5:
Do you own a cabin in Minnesota?
N = 834
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
TOTAL
STATE REGION—%
SEASON
SPRING
SUMMER
FALL
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
4.3
3.8
2.4
2.9
7.5
4.3
5.9
7.5
4.8
11.6
6.0
2.8
6.2
7.5
0
1.4
4.5
10.6
WINTER
16.9
24.5
40.5
18.8
7.5
10.6
ALL SEASONS
66.7
56.6
52.4
65.2
74.6
71.6
STATE REGION—%
AWARENESS
TOTAL
YES
50.5
BURNING HISTORY
YES / NO
TOTAL
YES
29.7
CABIN OWNERSHIP
TOTAL
YES
6.2
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
39.6
23.8
30.4
61.2
67.4
STATE REGION—%
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
37.6
18.4
22.8
24.3
44.1
STATE REGION—%
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
5.8
10.2
6.9
3.8
4.9
PAGE 27
4 Extended Review
Question 5A:
Do you have a garbage hauling
service at the cabin, do you use a
nearby disposal site or do you bring
your garbage home with you?
N = 52
STATE REGION—%
RESPONSE
TOTAL
GARBAGE HAULING SERVICE
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
19.2
25.0
8.3
25.0
50.0
8.3
NEARBY DISPOSAL SITE
21.2
12.5
25.0
18.8
0
33.3
BRING GARBAGE HOME
40.4
50.0
41.7
37.5
50.0
33.3
SITE/HOME
15.4
12.5
16.7
18.8
0
16.7
3.8
0
8.3
0
0
8.3
NO ANSWER
Question 6:
Do you live on or own a farm that
is still in operation?
N = 834
Question 7:
Do you own a business that
operates at a site other than your
home?
N = 834
Question 7A:
Do you have a garbage hauling
service at the business, do you use
a nearby disposal site or some
other method of disposal for your
garbage?
N = 46
Question 8:
Does your household recycle any of
the following materials?
N = 834
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
FARM RESIDENT
TOTAL
YES
29.9
BUSINESS OWNER
TOTAL
YES
5.5
RESPONSE
TOTAL
GARBAGE HAULING SERVICE
STATE REGION—%
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
34.1
5.9
16.9
42.3
46.1
STATE REGION—%
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
6.5
5.1
3.5
9.6
5.3
STATE REGION—%
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
73.9
44.4
100
87.5
90.0
61.5
NEARBY DISPOSAL SITE
15.2
44.4
0
0
10.0
15.4
SOME OTHER METHOD
8.7
0
0
12.5
0
23.1
STATE REGION—%
RECYCLABLES
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
PAPER
68.3
64.5
72.0
66.7
63.5
72.4
CANS
86.3
81.2
86.4
83.5
89.4
90.5
PLASTICS
71.9
68.8
78.0
64.1
72.1
78.2
GLASS JARS / BOTTLES
74.1
70.3
74.6
67.5
77.9
80.7
PAGE 28
4 Extended Review
Question 9:
I’m going to read you four
concerns that have been raised
about garbage burning and I’d like
you to rank them in order of
importance.
N = 834
HEALTH RISKS
RANKING
N = 805
NE
CE
SW
SE
29.3
33.6
28.6
24.9
34.7
29.2
SECOND CHOICE
28.4
28.4
31.3
32.9
18.4
27.1
THIRD CHOICE
25.6
21.6
28.6
25.8
23.5
27.1
FOURTH CHOICE
16.6
16.4
11.6
16.4
23.5
16.5
STATE REGION—%
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
FIRST CHOICE
29.8
27.8
32.1
31.9
21.4
31.4
SECOND CHOICE
37.5
37.6
37.5
30.5
42.9
41.9
THIRD CHOICE
22.4
27.1
19.6
23.9
26.5
17.8
FOURTH CHOICE
10.3
7.5
10.7
13.7
9.2
8.9
ODOR/SMELL
RANKING
N = 805
FIRST CHOICE
STATE REGION—%
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
7.7
6.8
3.6
8.9
12.2
7.2
SECOND CHOICE
17.6
15.0
17.9
17.8
25.5
15.6
THIRD CHOICE
24.3
24.1
25.9
22.2
26.5
24.9
FOURTH CHOICE
50.3
54.1
52.7
51.1
35.7
52.3
FIRE DANGER
RANKING
N = 810
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
NW
FIRST CHOICE
AIR/GROUNDWATER
RANKING
N = 805
Question 10:
I’d like you to use a scale of 1 to 5
where 1 will mean you believe
burning garbage is a very serious
problem and 5 will mean burning
garbage is not a problem at all.
What rank would you choose?
N = 831
STATE REGION—%
TOTAL
STATE REGION—%
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
FIRST CHOICE
34.2
31.6
36.3
34.8
35.0
33.8
SECOND CHOICE
15.1
16.5
13.3
18.1
12.0
13.5
THIRD CHOICE
26.8
27.1
25.7
27.3
22.0
28.7
FOURTH CHOICE
24.0
24.8
24.8
19.8
31.0
24.1
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 831
VERY
SERIOUS
SOMEWHAT
SERIOUS
NEUTRAL
NOT SERIOUS
NOT AT ALL
SERIOUS
ALL RESPONDENTS
15.0
12.5
28.8
14.1
29.6
NORTHWEST
14.5
10.1
31.2
10.9
33.3
NORTHEAST
19.7
15.4
25.6
12.0
27.4
CENTRAL
16.5
16.1
27.8
17.8
21.7
SOUTHWEST
13.6
5.8
28.2
13.6
38.8
SOUTHEAST
12.3
11.9
30.0
13.6
32.1
PAGE 29
4 Extended Review
Question 11:
I’d like you to tell me whether you
believe the following statements
are true in your area?
A: Open burning of garbage and
household waste is permitted in my
area.
B: Garbage and household waste
burning regulations are well
enforced in my area.
C: Open burning of garbage and
household waste is not a problem
in my area.
N = 834
STATEMENT
TRUE
FALSE
DK
OPEN BURNING OF GARBAGE AND HOUSEHOLD
WASTE IS PERMITTED IN MY AREA
35.0
51.0
14.0
NORTHWEST
34.8
52.2
13.0
NORTHEAST
19.5
69.5
11.0
CENTRAL
15.6
64.9
19.5
SOUTHWEST
61.5
28.8
9.6
SOUTHEAST
49.8
37.4
12.8
STATEMENT
TRUE
FALSE
DK
GARBAGE AND HOUSEHOLD WASTE BURNING
REGULATIONS ARE WELL ENFORCED IN MY AREA
45.7
29.4
24.9
NORTHWEST
53.6
26.8
19.6
NORTHEAST
43.2
33.9
22.9
CENTRAL
40.7
32.0
27.3
SOUTHWEST
48.1
25.0
26.9
SOUTHEAST
46.1
28.0
25.9
STATEMENT
TRUE
FALSE
DK
68.6
25.5
5.9
NORTHWEST
65.2
29.7
5.1
NORTHEAST
66.9
27.1
5.9
CENTRAL
70.1
21.6
8.2
SOUTHWEST
73.1
25.0
1.9
SOUTHEAST
67.9
26.3
5.8
OPEN BURNING OF GARBAGE AND HOUSEHOLD
WASTE IS NOT A PROBLEM IN MY AREA
Question 12:
Using a 1 to 5 scale, tell me
whether you agree or disagree with
these statements—1 will mean you
strongly agree and 5 will mean you
strongly disagree?
N = 834
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 816
12A: BACKYARD BURNING OF GARBAGE AND
HOUSEHOLD WASTE IS ILLEGAL FOR PEOPLE, WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF SOME FARMERS UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES
STRONGLY
AGREE
AGREE
NEUTRAL
DISAGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
ALL RESPONDENTS
36.6
16.7
23.8
6.9
16.1
NORTHWEST
32.4
14.0
29.4
4.4
19.9
NORTHEAST
43.9
9.6
25.4
4.4
16.7
CENTRAL
31.6
20.4
23.6
10.7
13.8
SOUTHWEST
48.5
17.5
14.6
3.9
15.5
SOUTHEAST
35.3
17.6
23.9
7.1
16.0
PAGE 30
4 Extended Review
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 824
12B: BURNING GARBAGE RELEASES POLLUTION THAT CAN HARM
WILDLIFE, LIVESTOCK, CROPS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
STRONGLY
AGREE
AGREE
NEUTRAL
DISAGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
ALL RESPONDENTS
45.5
19.9
15.7
7.5
11.4
NORTHWEST
36.2
21.0
21.7
5.1
15.9
NORTHEAST
64.7
12.1
14.7
3.4
5.2
CENTRAL
48.5
22.9
12.3
10.6
5.7
SOUTHWEST
36.9
22.3
18.4
5.8
16.5
SOUTHEAST
42.5
19.2
14.6
8.8
15.0
12C: BURNING GARBAGE CAN RELEASE TOXINS THAT WORK
THEIR WAY INTO AND CAN CONTAMINATE GROUNDWATER
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 819
STRONGLY
AGREE
AGREE
NEUTRAL
DISAGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
ALL RESPONDENTS
49.2
20.4
12.5
7.2
10.7
NORTHWEST
42.3
22.6
19.0
5.8
10.2
NORTHEAST
69.6
12.2
9.6
5.2
3.5
CENTRAL
51.5
23.3
10.1
7.5
7.5
SOUTHWEST
40.8
21.4
12.6
7.8
17.5
SOUTHEAST
44.7
19.8
12.2
8.4
14.8
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 824
STRONGLY
AGREE
AGREE
NEUTRAL
DISAGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
ALL RESPONDENTS
50.5
21.0
14.3
6.1
8.1
NORTHWEST
44.5
21.9
19.7
3.6
10.2
NORTHEAST
68.1
11.2
9.5
6.0
5.2
CENTRAL
49.1
25.9
14.0
6.6
4.4
SOUTHWEST
47.6
21.4
12.6
5.8
12.6
SOUTHEAST
47.9
20.4
14.6
7.1
10.0
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 820
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
12D: CHEMICALS RELEASED FROM BURNING GARBAGE CAN
CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS IN PEOPLE, MOST NOTABLY
THE ELDERLY, PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN
12E: OVER 40% OF WILDFIRES ARE CAUSED BY CARELESS
BURNING OF DEBRIS AND RESIDENTS CAN BE HELD LIABLE FOR
DAMAGES
STRONGLY
AGREE
AGREE
NEUTRAL
DISAGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
ALL RESPONDENTS
57.6
19.3
13.7
4.4
5.1
NORTHWEST
55.1
18.1
15.2
5.8
5.8
NORTHEAST
60.7
15.4
14.5
6.0
3.4
CENTRAL
56.2
24.8
12.4
2.7
4.0
SOUTHWEST
60.2
18.4
9.7
4.9
6.8
SOUTHEAST
57.6
16.9
15.3
4.2
5.9
PAGE 31
4 Extended Review
Question 13:
If I told you that each of the
statements were true statements,
using a scale of 1 to 5 where 1
means very likely and 5 means not
at all likely, how likely would you
be to stop burning garbage or
household waste?
N = 834
Question 14:
Of the following, which is the
most important to you in relation
to open burning?
N = 834
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 793
VERY
LIKELY
SOMEWHAT
LIKELY
NEUTRAL
SOMEWHAT
UNLIKELY
VERY
UNLIKELY
ALL RESPONDENTS
53.8
10.1
15.1
6.8
14.1
NORTHWEST
51.9
8.3
19.5
5.3
15.0
NORTHEAST
74.8
9.6
6.1
4.3
5.2
CENTRAL
59.5
10.9
13.2
6.8
9.5
SOUTHWEST
48.0
9.0
14.0
7.0
22.0
SOUTHEAST
41.3
11.1
19.6
8.9
19.1
RESPONSE
TOTAL
STATE REGION—%
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
LOCAL REGULATIONS
11.4
9.4
11.0
11.3
12.5
12.3
AIR POLLUTION
15.0
15.2
12.7
14.3
11.5
18.1
GROUNDWATER
11.5
9.4
10.2
14.3
10.6
11.1
HEALTH EFFECTS
27.6
32.6
34.7
25.5
26.9
23.5
9.2
4.3
4.2
4.8
13.5
16.9
22.2
24.6
23.7
27.7
23.1
14.4
3.1
4.3
3.4
2.2
1.9
3.7
CONVENIENCE
RISK OF WILDFIRE
UNCERTAIN
Question 15:
I’m going to read some ways in
which you can be informed about
open burning and its environmental
or health effects. Rate these on a
scale of 1 to 5 with 1 meaning it’s
very effective and 5 meaning it’s
not at all effective?
N = 834
IF I TOLD YOU THAT EACH OF THE STATEMENTS WERE TRUE
STATEMENTS, USING A SCALE OF 1 TO 5 WHERE 1 MEANS VERY
LIKELY AND 5 MEANS NOT AT ALL LIKELY, HOW LIKELY WOULD
YOU BE TO STOP BURNING GARBAGE OR HOUSEHOLD WASTE?
TELEVISION ADVERTISING
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 833
VERY
EFFECTIVE
SOMEWHAT
EFFECTIVE
NEUTRAL
SOMEWHAT
INEFFECTIVE
VERY
INEFFECTIVE
ALL RESPONDENTS
39.0
18.2
19.6
8.2
15.0
NORTHWEST
39.9
20.3
19.6
7.2
14.4
NORTHEAST
49.2
12.7
16.1
5.9
16.1
CENTRAL
37.8
21.7
22.2
8.7
9.6
SOUTHWEST
33.7
14.4
19.2
8.7
24.0
SOUTHEAST
37.0
18.1
18.9
9.1
16.9
RADIO ADVERTISING
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 833
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
VERY
EFFECTIVE
SOMEWHAT
EFFECTIVE
NEUTRAL
SOMEWHAT
INEFFECTIVE
VERY
INEFFECTIVE
ALL RESPONDENTS
23.6
23.8
28.2
11.9
12.5
NORTHWEST
27.5
24.6
28.3
7.2
12.3
NORTHEAST
27.1
24.6
28.0
7.6
12.7
CENTRAL
19.1
28.3
29.1
13.9
9.6
SOUTHWEST
23.1
19.2
27.9
10.6
19.2
SOUTHEAST
24.3
20.6
27.6
15.2
12.3
PAGE 32
4 Extended Review
NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 833
VERY
EFFECTIVE
SOMEWHAT
EFFECTIVE
NEUTRAL
SOMEWHAT
INEFFECTIVE
VERY
INEFFECTIVE
ALL RESPONDENTS
24.0
22.7
28.2
11.2
13.9
NORTHWEST
18.1
27.5
29.7
11.6
13.0
NORTHEAST
33.1
25.4
20.3
6.8
14.4
CENTRAL
20.4
23.5
31.3
12.2
12.6
SOUTHWEST
28.8
19.2
25.0
7.7
19.2
SOUTHEAST
24.3
19.3
29.6
13.6
13.2
VERY
EFFECTIVE
SOMEWHAT
EFFECTIVE
NEUTRAL
SOMEWHAT
INEFFECTIVE
VERY
INEFFECTIVE
ALL RESPONDENTS
16.7
18.8
17.8
15.4
31.2
NORTHWEST
13.8
18.1
18.8
15.9
33.3
NORTHEAST
23.7
16.9
15.3
16.9
27.1
CENTRAL
12.2
20.0
17.0
17.4
33.5
SOUTHWEST
23.1
18.3
15.4
15.4
27.9
SOUTHEAST
16.5
19.3
20.6
12.3
31.3
VERY
EFFECTIVE
SOMEWHAT
EFFECTIVE
NEUTRAL
SOMEWHAT
INEFFECTIVE
VERY
INEFFECTIVE
ALL RESPONDENTS
48.1
20.7
15.9
6.6
8.7
NORTHWEST
44.2
23.9
18.1
5.1
8.7
NORTHEAST
59.0
17.9
9.4
5.1
8.5
CENTRAL
40.2
24.9
21.4
6.6
7.0
SOUTHWEST
56.7
17.3
9.6
8.7
7.7
SOUTHEAST
48.8
17.8
15.3
7.4
10.7
DIRECT MAIL LITERATURE
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 833
BURNING PERMIT LITERATURE
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 833
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
PAGE 33
4 Extended Review
Question 3:
Do you occasionally use a
burn barrel, fire pit, fireplace,
wood stove or any other such
method to dispose of your garbage
or household waste,
including paper products?
N = 834
44.6% of all survey respondents indicated they occasionally used
one of the burn methods to dispose of their garbage or household
waste.
6.2% of all survey
respondents said they were
cabin owners. Of these
persons, 53.8% said they
use one of the burn
methods to dispose of their
garbage or household
waste.
29.9% of all survey
respondents said they
currently lived on or
owned a farm in
Minnesota. Of these
persons, 72.3% said they
use one of the burn
methods to dispose of
their garbage or waste.
5.5% of all survey
respondents said they
owned a business. Of
these persons, 41.3%
said they use one of the
burn methods to dispose
of their garbage or waste.
Overall, farm residents, cabin owners and business owners who
occasionally burn their garbage or household waste comprised
61% of all survey respondents who engage in the practice of
burning; of the 61%, 48.4% are farm residents, 7.5% are cabin
owners and 5.1% are business owners.
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
PAGE 34
4 Extended Review
Question 13:
If I told you that each of the
statements were true statements,
using a scale of 1 to 5 where 1
means very likely and 5 means not
at all likely, how likely would you be
to stop burning garbage or
household waste??
N = 834
Of those persons who addressed the
question, and were either farm residents,
cabin owners or business owners, the
cabin owners were most likely to indicate
they would stop burning after being told
each of the previously read statements
were indeed true.
(See Questions 12A—12E)
RESPONDENT GROUP
N = 793
MEAN SCORE 2.17
WOULD YOU BE TO STOP BURNING GARBAGE OR
HOUSEHOLD WASTE?
VERY
LIKELY
SOMEWHAT
LIKELY
NEUTRAL
SOMEWHAT
UNLIKELY
VERY
UNLIKELY
ALL RESPONDENTS
53.8
10.1
15.1
6.8
14.1
BURN RESPONDENTS
36.1
10.0
19.7
10.0
24.2
FARM RESIDENTS WHO BURN
25.6
10.2
22.7
10.2
31.3
CABIN OWNERS WHO BURN
38.5
3.8
34.6
7.7
15.4
BUSINESSES THAT BURN
17.6
11.8
11.8
17.6
41.2
FARM RESIDENTS
30.8
10.4
23.8
10.0
25.0
NORTHWEST
51.9
8.3
19.5
5.3
15.0
NORTHEAST
74.8
9.6
6.1
4.3
5.2
CENTRAL
59.5
10.9
13.2
6.8
9.5
SOUTHWEST
48.0
9.0
14.0
7.0
22.0
SOUTHEAST
41.3
11.1
19.6
8.9
19.1
RESPONDENT SEX
RESPONSE
STATE REGION—%
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
MALE
30.9
32.6
19.5
29.0
31.7
37.0
FEMALE
69.1
67.4
80.5
71.0
68.3
63.0
PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD
RESPONSE
TOTAL
STATE REGION—%
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
ONE
8.5
8.7
9.3
7.8
7.7
9.1
TWO
47.7
48.6
53.4
43.7
48.1
48.1
THREE
15.8
17.4
14.4
14.7
16.3
16.5
FOUR
13.9
10.9
10.2
16.9
14.4
14.4
FIVE OR MORE
13.5
13.8
12.7
16.5
12.5
11.5
0.5
0.7
0
0.4
1.0
0.4
NO ANSWER
RESIDENCE STATUS
RESPONSE
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
IF I TOLD YOU THAT EACH OF THE STATEMENTS
WERE TRUE STATEMENTS, USING A SCALE OF
1 TO 5 WHERE 1 MEANS VERY LIKELY AND
5 MEANS NOT AT ALL LIKELY, HOW LIKELY
STATE REGION—%
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
OWN
95.3
93.5
97.5
95.2
96.2
95.1
RENT
3.7
5.1
2.5
4.3
2.9
3.3
NO ANSWER
1.0
1.4
0
0.4
1.0
1.6
PAGE 35
4 Extended Review
MARITAL STATUS
RESPONSE
STATE REGION—%
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
MARRIED
83.5
84.8
83.1
84.4
84.6
81.5
SINGLE
15.8
13.8
16.9
15.6
14.4
17.3
0.7
1.4
0
0
1.0
1.2
NO ANSWER
EDUCATION LEVEL
RESPONSE
STATE REGION—%
TOTAL
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
5.8
8.0
1.7
6.5
2.9
7.0
36.8
37.0
47.5
33.3
39.4
33.7
TECHNICAL SCHOOL
DEGREE
28.9
29.0
26.3
29.0
31.7
28.8
4-YEAR COLLEGE DEGREE
19.5
18.1
16.9
23.8
19.2
17.7
MASTER’S OR HIGHER
8.3
7.2
6.8
6.5
5.8
12.3
NO ANSWER
0.7
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.4
LESS THAN HIGH SCHOOL
DEGREE
HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE
2-YEAR COLLEGE/
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
STATE REGION—%
RESPONSE
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
FULL TIME
41.3
32.2
41.6
42.3
44.0
PART TIME
13.8
15.3
13.9
12.5
11.1
SELF EMPLOYED
15.9
10.2
8.7
18.3
17.3
0.7
1.7
3.9
1.0
1.2
RETIRED
23.2
33.9
21.2
18.3
22.6
STUDENT
0
0
3.0
2.9
0
3.6
5.9
6.5
3.8
3.3
1.4
0.8
1.3
1.0
0.4
UNEMPLOYED
HOMEMAKER
REFUSED
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
/ NA
STATE REGION—%
RESPONSE
NW
NE
CE
SW
SE
$20,000
15.6
9.8
9.3
7.2
7.9
$20,000 TO $35,000
15.6
16.4
12.6
16.9
20.7
$35,000 TO $50,000
36.5
29.5
27.8
25.3
23.2
$50,000 TO $75,000
15.6
24.6
27.8
30.1
22.6
$75,000 TO $100,000
11.5
11.5
16.6
16.9
11.6
$100,000 TO $150,000
2.1
6.6
5.3
3.6
12.2
3.1
1.6
0.7
0
1.8
LESS THAN
OVER
ZENITH RESEARCH GROUP—DULUTH, MINNESOTA
$150,000
PAGE 36
The information contained within this report summarizes the key findings from interviews
conducted with 834 rural residents living within 80 of Minnesota’s 87 counties.
Additional and expanded analysis of key questions
or demographic groups is available upon request.
For additional information, please contact:
Dushan Skorich, President
Patricia McNulty, Vice President
Zenith Research Group, Inc.
3736 East Third Street
Duluth, Minnesota 55804
218.728.6525
[email protected]
www.zenithgroup.com