This paper presents the results of surveys on the problem of uncontrolled burning of waste in domestic stoves and boilers for central heating and open burning of plant residues in rural areas. The questionnaires were conducted among the inhabitants of one of Polish village (Łąkta Dolna), located in the Malopolska province, in the submontane area. The study comprised 80.2% of all households. As is clear from conducted surveys waste were burned in more than 80% of surveyed houses and more than half of respondents admitted to the open burning of plant residues. The percentage of people burning waste and plant residues is the greatest in the groups with the lowest education. The dominant type of waste combusted in the domestic fireplaces were: waste paper (97% of the total waste burning), varnished wood (over 40% of cases), PET bottles (more than 36% of cases), Tetra Pak cartons (more than 27% of cases), used clothing and rags (over 24% of cases) and other plastic packaging (23% of cases). The situation should be improved by applying an appropriate environmental education and the development of the system for collection, recovery and recycling of waste in individual municipalities.

English title: Problem of uncontrolled burning of waste and plant residues in a rural area - a case study.