01
Waste
Where does everything go when Black Rock City disappears?
Burning Man Project acknowledged that post-event trash disposal was not good enough. The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe continues to administer event-specific garbage-collection rules.
Open letter Northern Nevada · 2026
Dear Burning Man,
We have some questions about what gets left behind.
Read the letter
01The promise
Ambitious promises deserve serious attention.
Burning Man describes Leaving No Trace as extending beyond the playa and has published goals concerning waste, regeneration, and carbon. We take those commitments seriously.
“Those are ambitious promises. We think they’re worth taking seriously.”
02The central question
Does the trace end
at the playa?
Black Rock City is temporary. Its environmental lifecycle is not.
- Home
- Road
- Black Rock City
- Exodus
- Northern Nevada
- Home
03The evidence
Follow the impact beyond the event boundary.
Our research separates what is documented, reported, observed, claimed, and still unsubstantiated. Weak claims can wait.
02
Water
How is the event’s wastewater handled?
Treatment, greywater, blackwater, operational water use, and verified incidents.
Evidence review in progress03
Air
What does a temporary desert city put into the air?
Playa dust, particulate exposure, vehicles, generators, and mitigation.
Evidence review in progress04
Carbon
What is the climate cost of making Black Rock City exist?
Transportation, freight, energy, footprint estimates, and published goals.
Evidence review in progress05
Neighboring Lands
Who carries the impact between Reno and Black Rock City?
Tribal lands, SR 447, traffic, waste, environmental justice, and regional programs.
Evidence review in progress06
Communities
What happens after the Burn reaches Northern Nevada?
Documented burdens, infrastructure, local businesses, cleanup, and improvements.
Evidence review in progress01
Think.
Consider the event’s full environmental lifecycle.
02
Acknowledge.
Recognize impacts honestly, including those outside Black Rock City.
03
Improve.
Reduce preventable impacts and recognize measurable progress.
04An invitation
We want the answer.
Corrections, additional evidence, methodological criticism, and substantive responses are welcome. Credible information will be reviewed and incorporated where appropriate.
Responses & corrections