Keep our community safe, clean and beautiful this spring
Litter belongs in the garbage, not on the ground
Spring is here, and the City of Vaughan is excited to work together to care for our community. However you choose to use Vaughan’s many greenspaces this season, be sure to leave our paths, parks and public areas exactly how you found them – that means no litter left behind!
Our crews have already begun our annual spring-cleaning blitz, collecting 844 bags of litter from City-owned land so far this year. But we need your help, too!
From our outdoor spaces to yours, here is how you can do your part to ensure our community remains litter-free:
Participate in the 20-Minute Makeover. The challenge returns to Vaughan from Monday, April 20 to Sunday, April 26. Gather a team, pick a day and head out to help clean up litter from local school yards, parks, trails, greenspaces, backyards and boulevards. Learn more at vaughan.ca/20MinuteMakeover.
- Organize a community cleanup. Upon request, the City can provide supplies – such as garbage bags and gloves – for a cleanup in one of Vaughan’s parks, neighbourhoods, trails or open spaces. City staff will pick up the collected litter following the event. Get started by visiting the Community Cleanup program webpage.
Show your pride of ownership by keeping your property clean. Your neighbours will thank you! Keeping your property clear of litter, waste and debris isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s the law. Failure to do so may come with a notice to clean up your property and/or a monetary penalty for each offence. Failure to comply with a notice is a chargeable offence and may result in the City removing the waste and debris at your expense.
Report littering and illegal dumping. Littering and illegal dumping are prohibited under the City’s Dumping By-law (PDF). If you witness either of these actions, report it to Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca. It’s also a violation of the by-law to not keep your property clear of litter, waste and debris.
Reuse and refill. Bring a reusable cup while on the go and take cloth tote bags with you when shopping instead of disposable alternatives that cause excess waste.
Bag and bin pet waste. When walking outside with your pets, clean up after them and use the public waste bins provided. If the bins are full, take pet waste home. It belongs in the green bin at home or waste bins out in the community. You must pick up after your pet. The fine for failing to do so is $200. To report pet waste on public property, call 905-832-2281 or email service@vaughan.ca.
Report full or overfilled public bins. If you notice full or overflowing bins around the community, report it to Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca. Doing so will generate a service request for staff to action in priority sequence. Submitting reports while out in the community has never been easier thanks to the SmartParks program, which is available at all City-owned parks. Simply scan the QR code to report overflowing bins.
Fines aside, littering negatively impacts the health, safety and well-being of the community and the environment. It’s also dangerous for pets and wildlife as they may eat or be injured by discarded items. By helping to reduce litter, you demonstrate respect for your neighbours and shared community spaces.
If you’re not sure where an item belongs, use the City of Vaughan’s ‘What Goes Where?’ tool! You can also download the Recycle Coach app to your smart device through the Apple App Store or Google Play to help determine what goes where. The app provides waste-less tips and a personalized collection schedule with optional alerts on what to put at the curb each week.
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 they happen, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
