A litter-free year starts with you!

Help keep Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful

It's not too late to set your goals for the new year! Make one of your 2026 resolutions to put litter where it belongs so we can keep Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.

Litter damages soil and nearby ecosystems, but we can avoid this with proper waste disposal. 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 appthrough the Apple App Storeor Google Playto 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.

Approximately 17,800 bags of litter and 1,058 tonnes of debris were removed from City-owned land in 2025. We've said it before, and we'll say it again - littering and illegal dumping are against the law and may be subject to a fine of at least $500.

Everyone has a role to play in keeping our community clean this year and beyond.

Here's how you can help:

• 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 fine of at least $500. 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.
• 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 [email protected].
• Reuse and refill. Bring a reusable bottle 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. 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, call 905-832-2281 or email [email protected].
• 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 [email protected]. 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 SmartParksprogram, 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 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.

Preparing waste set-out in the winter

During the winter, remember to set waste bins back from the curb approximately one metre on the right-hand side of the driveway (when facing the home). They should never be placed on top of, behind or buried in snowbanks. This allows for winter maintenance crews to efficiently clear snow in residential areas.

To learn 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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