Keep your recycling from blowing away!
With the beautiful weather the fall season brings to Vaughan also comes many windy and stormy days and nights. Heavy rain and strong wind gusts can cause the contents of your blue box to blow out onto sidewalks and roads if not set out properly. No one enjoys a litter-filled neighbourhood – that’s why the City of Vaughan has many tips for you to avoid this problem and help keep Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful:
- Do not overfill your blue box. Leave space (7.5 centimetres or 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.
- Purchase additional blue boxes or use a larger blue box (up to 121 litres, no attached lid or wheels) if you have too much material.
- Consider putting your recycling out the following week if it’s a windy day.
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. 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. Report instances of littering or illegal dumping to the City by phone at 905-832-2281 or by email at service@vaughan.ca.
Understanding the environmental impacts of littering reflects Vaughan’s commitment to environmental stewardship through protection and proactive environmental management, as outlined in the City’s 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.
For information on Vaughan’s waste services, visit vaughan.ca/waste.
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