Every ‘litter’ bit helps

Put waste in its place!

With most park amenities now open for your enjoyment, the City of Vaughan is reminding you that keeping these spaces safe and clean is a community effort. Every ‘litter’ bit helps; no action to reduce litter is too small! 

Littering has a negative impact on the quality of life for everyone. It is harmful to the environment, dangerous for pets and wildlife as they may eat or be injured by discarded items, unpleasant to look at, and costs taxpayer dollars to clean up.

Let’s work together to keep Vaughan clean! As the City continues its annual spring-cleaning blitz, here is how you can get involved and ensure our community remains litter-free:

• Put waste in its place: while outside, place your waste in the nearest garbage, recycling or organics bin. Be sure to use the right one!
• Reuse and refill: bring a reusable cup while walking or on the go and take cloth tote bags with you when shopping.
• Bag it and bin it: when walking outside with your pets, clean up after them and use the waste bins provided. If the bins are full, take your garbage and 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 $300. To report pet waste on public property, contact the City at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca.

Recycling tips

By putting your recyclables in the right bin and following proper set out, you can help reduce litter in our community. Here are a few tips to keep in mind ahead of your next collection day:

• Do not overfill your blue box. Leave space (7.5 centimetres or three inches) at the top of the box.
• Place heavier items, such as glass bottles and jars, on top of lighter ones, such as paper and plastic containers.
• Flatten, cut down and bundle cardboard securely, and pack them in the blue box carefully.
• Purchase additional blue boxes or use a larger blue box (up to 121 litres, no attached lid or wheels) if you have too many materials.
• Consider putting your recycling out the morning of collection day if there’s rainy or windy weather overnight or wait until the following week. The City collects unlimited blue box items weekly!
• Take flyers and mail home to recycle.

By helping to reduce litter, you are demonstrating respect for your neighbours and shared community spaces. Let’s ensure Vaughan remains a clean and healthy city for us to live in, work from and visit.  

Did you know it’s against the law to litter?

Littering and illegal dumping are prohibited under the Dumping By-law 103-2020 (PDF). Residents who do not keep their properties clear of litter, waste and debris may be issued a notice to clean up their property and/or 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 the homeowner’s expense.

To report full or overfilled bins around the community or illegal dumping, contact Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca.

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.

For updates and news as it happens, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.