Litter

To protect our environment for future generations, it’s important for everyone to do their part to keep their community, streets, parks and waterways clean and litter-free.
Why litter is an issue
- Plastic litter does not break down and can last hundreds of years in our environment
- Litter can blow into storm drains, creeks, streams, rivers and lakes and contaminate the water and harm aquatic animals
- Litter can be ingested or cause physical harm to pets and local wildlife
- Some litter such as needles and broken bottles can injure children and adults
- Litter is unsightly
What you can do
Prevent litter
- Always dispose of your waste responsibly
- Keep your waste until you find the right bin or dispose of it at home
- Say no to single-use, disposable items and packaging whenever possible
- Switch to reusable alternatives (e.g. reusable containers, mugs, bottles, bags, cutlery, straws)
Reduce litter
- Pick up litter during your regular walks or hikes
- When picking up litter, practice COVID-19 public health and safety measures
- Litter cleanup should be done with caution
- Stay home if you are feeling ill or have COVID-19 symptoms
- It's encouraged to practice physical distancing with anyone outside of your household by staying 2-metres apart
- It's encouraged to wear a face covering when physical distancing is not possible
- Wear gloves or use a litter grabber or tongs when picking up litter
- Properly discard disposable gloves, masks or face coverings in a sealed garbage bag
- Refer to Ontario’s Litter Cleanup Guide
- For the most current information on COVID-19, visit york.ca/covid19
- When picking up litter, practice COVID-19 public health and safety measures
- Participate in or organize local cleanups
- When organizing a cleanup:
- Contact your local city or town in advance to determine how to manage the litter you collect
- Promote your cleanup through social media and use #ActONLitter
- Tag @YorkRegionGovt and your local city or town
- Target trails, parks, play areas, vacant lots, parking lots or neighbourhood sidewalks
- Consider using smaller bags for your cleanup and disposing of in your own personal garbage
- Use separate bags for recyclables and litter
- Not sure where it goes? Check our search tool at york.ca/bindicator
- For helpful tips and checklists refer to Ontario's Litter Cleanup Guide
- When organizing a cleanup:
- Report illegal dumping - it is a reportable offence and can have significant penalties
- For Regional roads (main roadways that connect our nine local cities and towns), reports can be made using the York Region Report a Problem mobile app or by emailing @email
- For city or town streets (neighbourhood roads), please contact the local city or town you are in
General safety tips
- Do cleanups during daylight when visibility is better
- Wear a safety vest if near roadsides or high-traffic areas
- Be cautious of rough, slippery terrain near ravines, riverbanks or stormwater management ponds
- Be aware of wild animals, insects, hives and nests or harmful weeds such as giant hogweed and poison ivy
- Contact your local city or town if you encounter dangerous materials; do not pick up:
- Broken bottles and glass
- Barbed wire
- Needles, syringes or sharps
- Medical waste
- Pipes
- Chemicals
- Debris with sharp or rusted edges
- Keep hazardous waste separate from garbage and recycling and contact your local town or city for proper disposal. Hazardous waste includes:
- Batteries
- Aerosol containers
- Fluorescent bulbs and tubes
- Helium or propane tanks/cylinders
- Report any suspicious items to York Regional Police at 1-866-876-5423