Peterborough Litter Action
Let’s work together to make Peterborough litter-free.
Keeping our streets, sidewalks, and green spaces safe and clean for everyone to enjoy is our priority. Litter looks bad, is harmful to the environment and animals, and is expensive to clean up. Help keep our streets, sidewalks, trails, parks and green spaces clean by properly disposing of waste. Reducing litter protects local ecosystems, wildlife and our drinking water.
In June 2023, City Council approved a pilot Litter Action Plan (Report COU23-006) to protect our waterways, greenspaces and public spaces from trash, litter and hazardous waste.
Organize a litter clean-up event
Get involved and join your neighbours and friends to help keep Peterborough litter-free. Let’s work together to clear garbage and recycling ensure our neighbourhoods, local parks, green spaces, and trails are beautiful and safe for everyone to enjoy.
When we all pitch in together, we can make a big difference!
How the City helps
Let us know about your event, and our Public Works team will provide you with nitrile gloves, bags and arrange a pickup location to collect waste after your event.
The City provides information to event organizers to help support a safe event.
Celebrate your success & inspire others to take action: share photos of your litter cleanup event on social media, and tag the City’s accounts and use the hashtag #PtboLitterAction. We’ll help spread the word!
Provincial Day of Action on Litter
The Provincial Day of Action on Litter is celebrated on the second Tuesday of May each year in Ontario.
The Province of Ontario is taking action to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills or becoming litter by bringing awareness to the impacts of waste on our environment and encouraging people to take action at home and in their community to help keep our environment clean and healthy for generations to come. Learn more about the Provincial Day of Action on Litter.
Graffiti Management Plan
Following the public procurement process, Public Works has entered into a pilot graffiti management services agreement with local company: Goodbye Graffiti. The project will focus on the DBIA and public assets located within the centralized business area.
If you see graffiti in the DBIA (painted or stickered) please report directly to Goodbye Graffiti
DBIA Service Request for Graffiti Response
For all other areas outside of the DBIA please use the following link to report graffiti concerns to Public Works.
Illegal Dumping
Illegal dumping poses serious threats to both urban and rural environments. It leads to pollution, wildlife harm, and toxic substance exposure, while also burdening economies with cleanup expenses, property devaluation, and agricultural losses. The social impacts are equally concerning, including health risks and diminished quality of life. Implementing stronger laws, fostering community engagement, enhancing waste management systems, and promoting collaborative strategies are vital solutions. Tackling illegal dumping is imperative for a healthier environment.
Our Recreation and Parks Division has witnessed a dramatic increase in illegal dumping in our parks and greenspaces. In 2023, 87.55 tonnes of garbage was collected from our parks and in 2024 - 6 months of data in, we have already collected 147.51 tonnes of garbage. There is simply no justification for anyone to dump your household garbage in our parks and greenspaces.
Peterborough has many legal opportunities to dispose of your waste including curb side collection, Household Hazardous Waste Depot, the City/County landfill, etc. Please check out our Waste Management's Divisional page at: Waste Management
If you have questions reach out to Waste Management or Public Works (705) 742-7777 x1657 and we can help you find the right solution for your waste disposal needs. Illegal dumping hurts everyone, our community and increases demands on and the cost of public services - help us, help you! Say no to illegal dumping!
Cassandra Babcock, Director, Public Works Operations
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