Don’t ‘flake’ on cleaning up litter!

The only thing sprinkled on the ground this winter should be snowflakes! Littering can make the winter even messier, so we're reminding everyone to take some simple steps to ensure Vaughan stays clean, safe and beautiful.

Litter damages soil and nearby ecosystems, but we can avoid this with proper waste-disposal etiquette. Let's work together to ensure trash ends up where it belongs – in the garbage, blue box or green bin – and not on our roads, walkways or parks. Approximately 1,202 tonnes of litter and illegal dumping have been removed this year from City-owned land. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – littering and illegal dumping are against the law and may be subject to a fine of at least $500.

Everyone has a role in keeping our community clean this winter season.

Here’s how you can help: 

• Report littering and illegal dumping. Littering and illegal dumping are prohibited under the City’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. It’s also a violation of the by-law to not keep your property clear of litter, waste and debris; failure to do so may come with a notice to clean up your property and/or receive a $500 fine for each offence. Failure to comply with a notice is also a chargeable offence and may result in the City removing the waste and debris at your expense.
• Reuse and refill. Bring a reusable cup while on the go and take cloth tote bags with you when shopping instead of disposable alternatives.
• Bag and bin pet waste. When walking outside with your pets, clean up after them and use the public waste bins provided. If the bins are full, take pet waste home. It belongs in the green bin at home or waste bins out in the community. As a reminder, you must pick up after your pet. The fine for failing to do so is $200. To report pet waste on public property, call 905-832-2281 or email service@vaughan.ca.
• Report full or overfilled public 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. If you are in one of the 65 SmartPark locations across the city, scan the QR code to report it. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/SmartParks.  

Fines aside, littering negatively impacts the health, safety and well-being of the community and the environment. It’s also dangerous for pets and wildlife as they may eat or be injured by discarded items. By helping to reduce litter, you demonstrate respect for your neighbours and shared community spaces.

Don’t forget to recycle!

Help reduce litter in your neighbourhood by putting your recyclables in the correct bin and following proper waste set-out guidelines. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind ahead of your next collection day:

• Do not overfill your blue box. Leave space (at least 7.5 centimetres or three inches) at the top of the box. 
• Purchase additional blue boxes or use a larger blue box (up to 121 litres, with no attached lid or wheels) if you have too many materials. 
• Place heavier items, such as glass bottles and jars, on top of lighter ones, such as paper and plastic containers, so they don’t blow away on windy days.
• Flatten, cut down and bundle cardboard securely, and pack them in the blue box carefully. 
• Consider putting your recycling out the morning of your collection day if there’s rainy, windy or snowy weather in the overnight forecast. Or wait until the following week to set out these items. We collect unlimited blue box items weekly!
• Take flyers and mail home to recycle instead of leaving them on the ground at Canada Post mailboxes.

Preparing waste set-out in the winter

During the 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, behind or buried in snowbanks to allow 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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