The paper presents research findings associated with burning mixed municipal solid waste and an analysis of the amounts of pollutants in the exhaust fumes.  Comparative analysis was performed concerning the content of pollutants in the emitted exhaust fumes during the burning of waste in households, in waste incineration plants and in a cement plant. Waste burning is one of methods of thermal recycling of waste and a way of reduction of the amount of waste deposited at waste dumping sites. The paper presents also the results of questionnaire surveys conducted amongst country dwellers. The questions directed to the respondents were aimed at obtaining information on, among others about, whether they burn waste in central heating systems. As a result of the conducted poll it turned out that about 20% of inspected households burn waste, and not only biomass but also plastics.