Hi Lillian, haven't heard from you in awhile. I always like your posts, and the fact that you know Chicago! We always burned everything--and still are allowed to burn in a contained vessel. It's just easier to recycle. We have a disposal, my husband is an avid recycler, he mulches the neighbors leaves [we don't have any trees] and we only have a can of "garbage" about once a month. I still love the smell of burning leaves when I am lucky enough to get a whiff. Grace