Uncontrolled burning of trash is much worse than a proper landfill. Modern landfills are constructed with water barriers and do not poison ground water. Old trash dumps were a problem but that is not what is happening in developed nations.

Of course, in some areas of the world, both uncontrolled trash burning and unregulated trash dumps are used.

I think you're talking about two different things.

I think the other post may be talking about people who burn their trash at home, instead of at an industrial scale? It seems like a neighborhood of people burning their batteries and plastics would not be great, compared to an industrial incinerator.

Or maybe I'm way off base.

Don't think this is what was meant by trash burning.

Tell that to the methed out assholes burning their trash in our neighborhood.

Burning trash is bad. Incinerating properly is crucial.