Litter Awareness
LITTER. It’s in our streets. It’s in our parks. It’s in your hands.
Lets do our part to keep Burnaby clean.
Litter Facts
Littering is a 'symptom' of a particular attitude. There are generally three reasons people litter:
- People tend to litter where litter already exists
- People litter where they fell no sense of ownership
- People litter because they believe someone else will clean it up
But there are a lot of reasons that they shouldn't litter at all.
Litter Moves -- it doesn't stay where it falls.
It gets trapped in fences, drains, and planted areas. It travels with wind, water, vehicles, people and animals. It affects communities, animals, tourism and the environment.
Litter Attracts More Litter -- once litter accumulates, it tends to invite more litter. It seems more acceptable to litter on a dirty street.
Litter is a Health Hazard -- It's not just that it looks awful. Cups full of rainwater make a perfect breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes. Rats, insects and bacteria all love litter. It clogs storm drains and causes serious flooding.
Litter Prevention
Never litter. It’s that simple. Littering is one activity that is completely under our personal control.
What is the City doing?
On the Ground
- Increasing the number of City litter crews
- Purchasing additional street litter receptacles
- Increasing the City's street sweeping fleet
- Our automated garbage and yard waste collection system helps reduce litter in back lanes and streets
In the Community
- Supporting local clean up events and awareness campaigns
- Strengthening the City's illegal dumping bylaw
- Seeking public cooperation and support using public education materials on bus shelters, bike racks, posters and pamphlets
How can I help?
Drivers
- Always secure loads when hauling material to reduce 'fly away' litter
- Keep light litter such as empty coffee cups or fast food packages inside the vehicle
- Keep a litter bag inside your car and empty it when you reach your destination
- Butt out cigarettes in your car ashtray, not on the road. No ashtray in your car? Purchase a tabletop ashtray and keep it in your car to butt out cigarettes. Extinguished butts can then be placed into your vehicle litter bag
Residents
- Carry your garbage until you find a litter receptacle
- Carry a litter bag in your car and never toss litter out a vehicle window
- Set an example for others, especially children, by not littering
- If you smoke, please butt out responsibly by fully extinguishing your cigarette and placing it a personal ashtray, cigarette butt container or garbage can, not on the street our out a vehicle window
- Report areas of concern to the City
- Participate in community clean up days
Businesses
Keeping the area around your property clear of litter helps keep the City clean and shows that your business has pride in the community it works in.
- Ensure lids are secure on garbage and recycling containers
- Take pride in your business, conduct regular litter sweeps of your property - keep a litter pick up schedule and check list
- Participate in your local business area clean up events
- Report areas of concern to the City
- Speak with neighbouring businesses about keeping the area clean for customers
- Display litter education posters inside or around your business
- Install and maintain private litter receptacles on your property to customer use
Illegal Dumping
Illegal dumping is a type of litter, mostly of larger appliances or Banned/Illegal Products that can't go in the garbage.
What does it include?
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 |
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| Banned items and electronics | Old furniture, like a couch or mattress | Yard waste and Christmas trees |
It's a serious problem:
- Increases health risks - attracts rats and other disease-carrying creatures
- Increases environmental risks - hazardous waste can contaminate soil and water
- Increases costs - to collect, which is passed on to taxpayers
- Encourages more dumping - accumulated garbage attracts further dumping
- Contributes to other illegal activity - you're sending a message that non-desirable activities are okay in your neighbourhood
How do I dispose of large items like a fridge or couch?
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Visit Bulky Item Pick-Up for more information
How do I report illegal dumping?
- On public property, call the Burnaby Sanitation Department at 604-294-7972.
- On private property, call the City of Burnaby Licence Department (unsightly properties) at 604-294-7320.
