Recycle today for a better tomorrow

We all play a role in keeping our neighbourhoods safe, clean and beautiful. This Plastic Free July, remember to reduce single-use plastics, buy reuseable alternatives and practise proper recycling. 

Unsure where to dispose of an item? When in doubt, use the City of Vaughan’s ‘What Goes Where?’ tool! You can also download the Recycle Coach app to your 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.

Help reduce litter in your neighbourhood by putting your recyclables in the blue box and following proper waste set out guidelines. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind ahead of your next collection day:

• Do not overfill your blue box. Leave space (at least 7.5 centimetres or three inches) at the top of the box. 

• Purchase additional blue boxes or use a larger blue box (up to 121 litres, with no attached lid or wheels) if you have too many materials. Please note the City of Vaughan will no longer sell or replace blue boxes as of Jan. 1, 2026.

• Place heavier items, such as glass bottles and jars, on top of lighter ones, such as paper and plastic containers, so they don’t blow away on windy days.

• Flatten, cut down and bundle cardboard securely, and pack them in the blue box carefully. 

• Consider putting your recycling out the morning of your collection day if there’s rainy or windy weather in the overnight forecast. Or wait until the following week to set out these items. We collect unlimited blue box items weekly!

Our seasonal maintenance efforts continue with crews collecting litter from Vaughan’s parks, trails, open spaces, stormwater management ponds, city boulevards and sidewalks. Approximately 767 tonnes of litter and illegal dumping have already been removed this year from City-owned property. Add to the solution, not the problem!

Here’s how you can help:

• 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. Replace plastic sandwich bags with reusable containers or thermoses. 

• 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, on public or private property, report it to Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca. 

• Properly dispose of waste on your property. Keeping your property clear of litter, waste and debris is required under the City’s Dumping By-law (PDF); failure to do so may come with a notice to clean up your property and/or receive 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 your expense. Unsure where to dispose of an item? When in doubt, use the City’s ‘What Goes Where?’ tool!

• 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. If you are in one of the SmartParks locations across the city, simply scan the QR code to report overflowing bins to the City. 

Littering negatively impacts the health, safety and well-being of the community and 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 respect for your neighbours and community spaces. 

To read more about the City’s commitment to protecting the environment and fostering a sustainable community today and for future generations, visit vaughan.ca/litter.

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