Here’s to a ‘litter-less’ winter

There’s ‘snow’ denying the winter season can get messy – and accumulated roadside garbage doesn’t help!

Litter left on the ground damages soil and nearby ecosystems. This can be avoided with proper waste-disposal etiquette. Challenge yourself to keep the city as beautiful as it can be by making this season a ‘litter-less’ winter.

Do your part

When visiting City of Vaughan parks or trails, remember to use the waste bins provided. If they are full, take your garbage and pet waste home with you. Pet waste belongs in the green bin at home and garbage when in the community. 

Here are more tips to help you do your part to keep Vaughan litter-free:

Garbage

• Extra garbage items on collection day? Use garbage tags for more than three items and up to 13 items, or drop extra bags to a York Region waste depot for safe disposal – fees will apply.
• Buy garbage tags online at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan or at select community centres.

• Put waste items where they belong – in the proper bins. Coffee cups go in the garbage along with personal protective equipment, such as masks, gloves, wipes and plastic bags. Empty and rinsed plastic water, juice and pop bottles belong in the blue box.

Recycling

• Prevent wind-blown litter by not overfilling your blue boxes and putting heavier items on top of lighter ones or consider putting recycling out the following week. This will help contain materials during gusty winter days and nights.
• Consider purchasing additional City blue boxes or using a larger blue box (up to 121 litres, no lids or wheels) to ensure enough space for your recyclables.
• Keep small bags for waste so when you’re on the go you can toss food containers into a bag to be properly sorted and disposed of later.
• Take flyers and mail home to recycle. 

Organics

• Ensure bags are tied securely and placed inside the green bin and materials are placed properly at the curb for collection (on or beside the driveway).
• Do not place materials on the road where they can get knocked over.

Reports of litter
Littering and illegal dumping are prohibited under the Dumping By-law 103-2020 (PDF). Those who do not keep their properties clear of litter, waste and debris may be subject to a $500 fine for each offence. As well, the City may have the waste and debris removed at the owner’s expense and it may be subject to a Notice/Order to Comply. Failing to obey a Notice/ Order to Comply is a chargeable offence. 

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

The City’s role in reducing litter
In June 2022, the City’s Public Works team introduced a mechanical litter collection program. Since then, MadVac – a litter collection vacuum – has collected more than 1,030 bags of litter and debris from City boulevards and sidewalks! This program is another way Public Works staff are enhancing and expanding resources to stay on top of litter. 

By helping to reduce litter, you are demonstrating respect for your neighbours, neighbourhood and shared community spaces. Let’s ensure Vaughan remains a place where residents and visitors can live, work and play in a clean and healthy city.   

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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