No. Burning trash in Peru is illegal under national environmental law, with enforcement tightening in 2024 via Supreme Decree 003-2024-MINAM. Local municipalities and OEFA (Organismo de Evaluación y Fiscalización Ambiental) actively penalize violations, including fines up to S/ 100,000 (~$27,000) for unauthorized burning.
Key Regulations for Burning Trash in Peru
- National Waste Law (D.L. 1278): Prohibits open burning of municipal, medical, or industrial waste without prior authorization from MINAM or regional authorities.
- OEFA Enforcement Protocol (2024): Mandates inspections in high-risk zones (e.g., Lima, Arequipa) and imposes immediate sanctions for non-compliance with air quality standards (DS 003-2017-MINAM).
- Municipal Ordinances: Local governments (e.g., Municipalidad de Lima’s Ordenanza 2302) criminalize residential trash burning, with penalties ranging from S/ 500 to S/ 5,000 for repeat offenders.
Exceptions exist for agricultural residue burning in rural areas, but only under D.S. 015-2012-AG’s controlled conditions. Violators face administrative, civil, or criminal liability under the Penal Code (Art. 304-A) for environmental harm. Consult regional OEFA offices or MINAM’s Guía de Manejo de Residuos Sólidos for site-specific compliance.