Put trash in the right place

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That includes pet waste – which goes in the green bin at home and garbage in parks!


There’s ‘snow’ time like the present to develop proper waste disposal habits! Litter left on the ground can make the winter months even messier, so the City of Vaughan is providing steps everyone can take to ensure our community stays clean for all to enjoy.

Reporting 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 issued a Notice to clean up their property and/or issued 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 owner’s expense. 

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. 

Do your part
When visiting City 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:

  • 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.
  • If you have extra garbage bags on collection day, drop them off at the York Region waste depot for safe disposal – fees will apply.
  • Prevent wind-blown litter by not overfilling your blue boxes and putting heavier items on top of lighter ones on windy days or consider putting recycling out the following week.
  • 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. Plastic water, juice and pop bottles belong in recycling.
  • Take flyers and mail home to recycle.

By helping 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.   

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. 

Waste set-out in the winter
During the winter season, the City is reminding you 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 or behind snowbanks. This allows the plow to remove the windrow without disturbing the waste. 

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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