A clean winter wonderland starts with you!

As winter approaches, it’s the perfect time to stake a moment to reflect on how we can all help keep Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy, even in the colder months. Litter left on the ground damages soil and nearby ecosystems, but this can be avoided with proper waste-disposal etiquette.

Let’s work together to make sure trash ends up where it belongs – in the garbage, recycling or green bin – and not on our roads, walkways or in parks.

Unsure what waste item goes where? When in doubt, use the City’s ‘What Goes Where?’ tool! It’s an online sorting program that allows you to find the right bin for each waste item easily. It also provides information on curbside collection requirements. You can also download the Recycle Coach app through the Apple App Store or Google Play to help determine what goes where. The app also provides waste-less tips and a personalized collection schedule with optional alerts on what to put at the curb each week.

Here’s how you can help reduce litter in the community: 

Whether you are new to Vaughan or a longtime resident, there are many simple steps you can take to help preserve our city’s beauty! 

When you’re in the community:

• Take mail home with you. When you head to your community mailbox, take any recycling or admail home with you. Please note: community mailboxes belong to, and are maintained by, Canada Post – this includes addressing litter, snow, ice and damage to the mailboxes. If you spot litter or vandalism at your community mailbox, submit a service request to Canada Post. You can also contact them by telephone at 1-866-607-6301 or on social media through X (formerly known as Twitter) or Facebook.
• Report littering and illegal dumping. Littering and illegal dumping are prohibited under the City of Vaughan’s Dumping By-law 103-2020 (PDF). If you witness either of these actions, report it to Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca.
• Use the right bins. While outside, place your waste in the nearest garbage, blue box or green bin. Whether you’re throwing a candy wrapper or coffee cup, be sure to use the right one! If the bins are full, take your garbage home.

• Bag and bin pet waste. When walking outside with your pets, clean up after them and use the waste bins provided. If the bins are full, take your pet waste home and put it in your green bin. The fine for failing to pick up after your pet is $200. To report pet waste on public property, call 905-832-2281 or email service@vaughan.ca.

• Report full or overfilled public waste bins. If you notice full or overflowing bins around the community, report it to Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca. Doing so will generate a service request for staff to action in priority sequence. 

When you’re at home:

• Maintain your lawn. Grass and weeds must be less than 20 centimetres (eight inches) tall, according to the City’s Long Grass and Weeds By-law 125-2022 (PDF).

  • Trees and hedges must be trimmed to avoid overgrowth that may affect safety and visibility for road users or block people from using the sidewalk.

  • Yards must be free and clear of all garbage, brush, waste, litter, trade waste and other debris, construction bins (unless actively being used), machinery and open excavations.

• Do not overfill your blue box. Leave space 7.5 centimetres (three inches) at the top of the box. Flatten items, such as cardboard, and pack them in the blue box carefully. Put heavier items, such as glass jars, on top of lighter ones, such as paper and plastic containers. 

• Collect and bag fallen leaves. Leaf and yard waste will continue weekly on your regularly scheduled collection day until the week of Dec. 5.
• Do not obstruct the boulevard. Landscaping features such as inflatables, decorative lights, fencing, sports nets, decorative stones, pots, bird baths, furniture and more, cannot impede pedestrian traffic, obstruct sight lines or hinder City operations, like snow removal. These items should not be within 30 centimetres (12 inches) of a sidewalk or one metre (40 inches) of a street curb, as per the City’s Encroachment By-law 034-2017 (PDF).

Waste set-out in the winter

During winter, remember to set waste bins back from the curb approximately one metre on the right-hand side of the driveway (when facing the home). They should never be placed on top of or behind snowbanks. This allows for crews to efficiently clear snow in residential areas.

To read more about the City’s commitment to protecting and respecting the environment, and fostering a sustainable community today and for future generations, visit vaughan.ca/litter.

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