From expired medications to family pets, the things people bury in their backyards might surprise you. While it may seem harmless, many of these actions are illegal and could invite fines and environmental hazards. This article explains the rules around burying things in your yard and why good intentions won’t protect you from breaking the law.
Prescription Medications
Burying prescription medications in your backyard isn’t just environmentally risky, it’s also against federal guidelines. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, open dumping of hazardous waste, including pharmaceuticals, is prohibited due to the high soil and groundwater contamination risk.
Instead of burying or flushing medications, the DEA’s Take-Back Program offers “no questions asked” drop-off sites at law enforcement offices and participating pharmacies. These programs ensure that medications, especially opioids and other high-risk drugs, are incinerated safely and in compliance with federal law.
Batteries
What seems like a dead battery can cause decades of damage. Burying batteries, whether household AAAs or bulky car batteries, is dangerous and illegal. Under the EPA’s Universal Waste Rule, batteries like lead-acid and nickel-cadmium must be recycled, not discarded in landfills or buried in soil.
These batteries contain heavy metals and corrosive chemicals that can leach into groundwater, contaminating drinking supplies and harming ecosystems. States like California and New York have even stricter regulations, with fines reaching up to $25,000 per violation for improper disposal. Use certified battery recycling programs like Call2Recycle or local hazardous waste collection events.
Household Chemicals
Burying household chemicals like paint thinners, motor oil, or pesticides in your yard is illegal. Under the EPA’s Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR), untreated hazardous waste cannot be disposed of on land due to its high risk to soil and groundwater. These substances can leach into water supplies, posing long-term health risks to humans and wildlife.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) classifies many everyday household products as hazardous waste because they are flammable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic. Even empty containers can retain dangerous residues. Instead of backyard shortcuts, use local HHW collection programs or designated drop-off events to ensure these chemicals are treated and disposed of safely.
Metal And Glass
Metal and glass can have several environmental and legal consequences if buried in your backyard. These materials don’t decompose easily and can leach harmful substances like lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals into the soil, affecting plant health and contaminating groundwater.
Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the EPA oversees the proper disposal of dangerous waste, including certain types of metal and glass waste that may contain toxic components.
If these materials are classified as hazardous (e.g., lead-based paint cans or mercury-containing glass), burying them violates federal disposal standards. Many states enforce stricter laws prohibiting unauthorized landfilling or dumping of non-biodegradable waste on private property.
Pets
While there’s no federal law against burying a pet in your backyard, many states and municipalities have specific rules. Typically, you’re required to bury your pet within 24 to 48 hours, at a depth of 3–4 feet, and at least 100 feet from any water source. Some areas also require a permit or restrict burial near property lines.
In states like California, backyard burials are banned altogether. Under California Penal Code 374.3, improperly disposing of animal remains can be classified as illegal dumping, with repeat violations leading to fines ranging from $250 to $3,000. Before laying a pet to rest at home, it’s crucial to check local health and animal control regulations or consider alternatives like cremation or green cemeteries for peace of mind.
Electronics
Disposing of electronics like phones, laptops, or old TVs in your yard poses serious health and environmental risks, and in many states, it’s also illegal. Electronic devices often contain hazardous metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium that are known to leach into soil and contaminate groundwater.
In New York, the Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act mandates that manufacturers provide free and convenient recycling options for residents. Tossing e-waste in the trash or the backyard violates these laws and can result in fines.
Cooking Oil
Pouring used cooking oil into your yard can wreak havoc on your soil, plants, and local ecosystem. Cooking oil forms a greasy barrier in the soil, blocking water and oxygen from reaching plant roots—a process known as soil sealing. This leads to poor drainage, root suffocation, and mold growth. It also attracts pests like rodents and insects, turning your garden into a magnet for infestations.
Legally, improper disposal of cooking oil is prohibited in many U.S. jurisdictions. Local sanitation codes and environmental laws often classify fats, oils, and grease (FOG) as pollutants. In some areas, fines for illegal dumping can range from $500 to $5,000, especially if the oil contaminates water systems.
Invasive Plants
Burying invasive plants like wisteria, Japanese barberry, or burning bush can spark ecological chaos. These species often spread through seeds, roots, or even composted fragments, quickly overrunning native habitats. Birds and other wildlife unintentionally aid their spread, turning your backyard cleanup into a regional infestation.
Under Executive Order 13751, federal agencies are directed to act against introducing and spreading invasive species due to their environmental and economic harm. Many states also maintain noxious weed lists and require landowners to control or remove certain invasive plants. Ignoring these state regulations can lead to fines or mandated removal.
Construction Waste
Leftover concrete or treated wood contains toxins like arsenic or lead that leach into groundwater if buried in the soil. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, hazardous construction waste is regulated to prevent environmental damage.
Old pressure-treated lumber and painted wood are especially risky. Instead of burying them, use local recycling programs or construction waste services. Proper disposal protects your yard—and your legal standing.
Gasoline and Motor Oil
Backyard dumping of gasoline or motor oil is a dangerous and costly mistake. These substances seep into the soil, pollute groundwater, and pose serious fire risks. While homeowners are exempt from commercial hazardous waste regulations, the environmental impact is the same.
Just one quart of used oil can contaminate up to 250,000 gallons of water. Many states, like Texas and New York, penalize illegal dumping with fines up to $50,000. Take it to a certified collection site—your yard and community will be safer.
Human Remains
Burying human remains on private property is legal in most U.S. states except California, Indiana, Washington, and Washington, D.C., where it’s explicitly prohibited. However, even where allowed, home burials come with strict zoning, permitting, and environmental regulations.
Families may need to designate a portion of their land as a family cemetery, which can involve setbacks from water sources, minimum burial depths, and official registration. While this option may offer a personal and cost-effective alternative to traditional cemeteries, it can also complicate future property sales. Properties with private gravesites often face reduced market value and may trigger legal disputes over zoning or environmental concerns.
