Don’t be a litter bug – put waste in the right bin!

Spring is finally here, and it’s time to get outside and enjoy our parks and trails. Whether you’re having a picnic outdoors or going for a stroll down a path, be sure to leave our green spaces how you found them – that means no litter left behind! 

Let’s work together to keep Vaughan clean! While the City of Vaughan is in the midst of our annual spring-cleaning blitz, here is how you can do your part to ensure our community remains litter-free:

• Put waste in its place: while outside, place your waste in the nearest garbage, blue box or green bin. Be sure to use the right one!

• Reuse and refill: bring a reusable cup while walking or on the go. Take cloth tote bags and reusable containers with you when shopping.

• Bag it and bin it: when walking outside with your pet, clean up after them and use the waste bins provided. If the bins are full, take your garbage and pet waste home with you. Pet waste belongs in the green bin at home or in waste bins out in the community. As a reminder, you must pick up after your pet. The fine for failing to do so is $200. To report pet waste on public property, contact the City at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca.

Waste tips

Follow these steps when sorting waste at home:

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

• Place heavier items, such as glass bottles and jars, on top of lighter ones, such as paper and plastic containers.

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

• Purchase additional blue boxes or use a larger blue box (up to 121 litres, no attached lid or wheels) if you have too many materials.

• Consider putting your recycling out the following week if it’s a windy day. The City collects unlimited blue boxes weekly!

• Take flyers and mail home to recycle – don’t leave them on the ground near your mailbox.

Did you know it’s against the law to litter?

Littering and illegal dumping are prohibited under the Dumping By-law 103-2020 (PDF). Residents 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 homeowner’s expense.

To report full or overfilled bins around the community, or to report illegal dumping, contact Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca. 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.

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 everyone can live, work and play in a clean and healthy city.   

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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