A New Year’s resolution for the environment: litter less!

It’s a new year, which means it’s time to set new goals! Make one of your 2024 resolutions to put litter where it belongs so we can keep Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy. 

Littering is not only harmful for the environment, it also comes with a hefty fine of $500 for the first offence. So next time you finish a drink or snack in the park and have garbage to throw away, think to yourself: can I afford to litter?

In 2023, the City conducted its first-ever litter audit. More than 95 sites across all five wards were analyzed to determine litter trends in the community. 

 

Here are the top five litter items found in Vaughan and where they actually belong:

1. Cigarette butts go in the garbage.

• Extinguish cigars and cigarettes fully before placing them in the garbage.

2. Paper goes in the blue box.

3. Miscellaneous plastic (such as plastic bags and salad bags) goes in the garbage.

4. Plastic water bottles go in the blue box.

5. Napkins go in the green bin.

Read the full litter audit report at vaughan.ca/litter.

Now that we know the most common types of litter found in Vaughan, it’s time for action. Each piece of trash properly disposed of will help keep our community clean. If you’re not sure where an item belongs, use the City’s ‘What Goes Where?’ tool! This online sorting program allows you to find the right bin for each waste item easily and provides information on curbside collection requirements. 

You can also download the Recycle Coach app 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.

Do your part – don’t be a litter bug

We all have a role to play in keeping our community litter-free. Here are some tips for when you’re out in the community:

• Take mail home with you. When you head to your community mailbox, take any recycling or admail home with you. Please note: community mailboxes belong to, and are maintained by, Canada Post – this includes addressing litter, snow, ice and damage to the mailboxes. If you spot litter or vandalism at your community mailbox, submit a service request to Canada Post. You can also contact them by phone at 1-866-607-6301 or on social media through X or Facebook.
• 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.
• Use the right bins. While outside, place your waste in the nearest garbage, blue box or green bin. Whether you’re throwing out a candy wrapper or coffee cup, be sure to use the right one! If the bins are full, take your garbage home.

• Bag and bin pet waste. In Vaughan, we are proud of our beautiful parks, trails and conservation areas. We want your family, friends and – of course – pets to enjoy these healthy, outdoor spaces. Let’s keep parks green and clean by picking up after pets. Please put waste in a bin on your route or bring it home. The fine for failing to pick up after your pet is $200. To report pet waste on public property, call the City at 905-832-2281 or email service@vaughan.ca.

• Report full or overfilled public waste 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. 

Here are some tips for when you’re at home:

• Do not overfill your blue box. Leave space 7.5 centimetres (three inches) at the top of the box to keep your materials from blowing out of the box on windy days. 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. 

• Set waste back from the curb approximately one metre on the right-hand side of the driveway (when facing the home) where possible. Bins and bags should never be buried in snow or placed on top of or behind snowbanks. This allows crews to collect waste safely and for plows to clear snow efficiently in residential areas. 

  • Remember to place all items curbside by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Staff will not return for materials set out late. Pickup times may be impacted by winter weather.

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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