Keeping Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful

With spring in full swing, remember that Vaughan’s parks and trails are most enjoyable when kept litter-free! You can make a big difference in helping to ensure these spaces remain safe, clean and beautiful.

Follow these tips from the City of Vaughan to help reduce litter in the community:

• Keep your home and surrounding area free of litter by putting waste and recyclable materials in the correct bins.
• When visiting the City’s parks or trails, remember to use the waste bins provided. Pet waste belongs in the garbage when you’re out in public spaces and in the green bin at home.
• Recycle flyers and mail at home.
• If you have excess garbage to get rid of, save it for Double-Up Days (the next collection begins the week of April 12, depending on your pick-up date). Place up to six items of garbage for collection – no paid tags required. You can also take extra garbage to a York Region Waste Depot for safe disposal.
• Report litter to Access Vaughan by phone at 905-832-2281, by email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca or online at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan.

By working together to reduce litter, you are demonstrating respect for your neighbours, neighbourhoods 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.  

For more information on litter reduction in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/litter.

Waste collection tips

On windy days, materials from your blue box can be blown onto the street. Prevent wind-blown litter by not overfilling your blue boxes and putting heavier items on top of lighter ones. You can also consider putting recycling out the following week, purchasing additional City blue boxes online or using a larger blue box (up to 121 litres, no lids or wheels) to ensure there is enough space for your recyclables.

Remember, all waste bins and materials must be set back from the curb approximately three feet (one metre) on the right side of the driveway (when facing the home), where possible. Proper waste set-out helps prevent bins from being knocked over by the City’s street sweeping machines. All waste must also be placed at the curb on your collection day by 7 a.m.

Need help sorting?

If you’re unsure where a waste item belongs, download the Recycle Coach app through the Apple App Store or Google Play. The app also provides waste-less tips and a personalized collection schedule with optional alerts on what to put at the curb each week. The City also offers an online sorting tool so you can quickly check where an item belongs using the search bar. For more information on waste collection in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/waste.

The City of Vaughan is committed to protecting and respecting our environment and fostering a sustainable community today and for future generations. That’s why Environmental Stewardship is a priority in the City’s 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.

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