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Litter – Let's All Do Our Part

Litter controll

Never Litter. Period.

Litter is on the move with wind, water, vehicles, people and animals. It gets stuck in fences and ditches, and clogs storm drains which can cause flooding. Litter not only attracts more litter, it attracts bacteria, insects and rats.

Keeping Markham communities beautiful and clean is everyone’s responsibility.

Littering has negative visual, environmental, and societal impacts. Residents are also affected economically as unsightly litter can lower property values, deter tourism and increase property tax.

Litter Comes from Your Blue Box

Most litter comes from overfilled blue boxes set out at the curb on windy days. Don’t let your valuable material become litter.

Windy Day Tips:

  • Put your blue box out in the morning of your collection day, not the night before;
  • Place heavy items like bundled newspapers on top;
  • Don’t overload your blue box - keep loose material secure and below the rim;
  • Purchase additional containers at any Markham Recycling Depot. Visit the Recycling Depots & Drop Off Centres Homepage to find your closest Recycling Depot;
  • Write your address on your blue boxes— this makes it easier to return them if they blow away.

Dog Poop Belongs in the Green Bin – Not at the Park!

Always pick up your dog’s poop. Keep Markham’s streets and parks clean and odour free.

Bring it home and put it in the green bin!

  • Use any plastic bag to scoop your poop (like grocery bags or bread bags - they’re the perfect shape for your hand). Bags do not have to be compostable;
  • To help reduce the amount of pet waste ending up in the landfill, the City has installed green bins in all dogs’ off-leash areas.  Visit Bylaws and Off Leash Areas to learn more about Markham’s dogs’ off-leash
    areas;
  • Dog feces are harmful to the environment because they contain bacteria and viruses. If left on the ground to decompose, dog feces can be carried into waterways by stormwater, where it causes contamination.
Pet owner picking up dog poop

Community Mailbox Recycling

To further reduce paper litter, Markham has placed blue boxes at over 2,500 Canada Post community mailbox locations. Mailbox recyclables are collected once a week on the same day as your regular blue box collection. If your community mailbox recycling bin needs to be emptied or replaced, please let us know. customerservice@markham.ca. 

 

blue+box+beside+community+mailbox

Community Clean Up

Thank you to the thousands of Markham residents who volunteer throughout the year to pick up litter on our streets, walkways and parks.

Visit Keep Markham Beautiful to learn how you can register your clean up event and receive free cleanup supplies.

Recycle Right with the “What Goes Where” search tool anywhere anytime! Download the Access Markham mobile app today!

Litter Cleanup Safety Tips and Reminders:

  1. Wear appropriate clothing, safety vest, proper footwear, and gloves.
  2. Use trash grabbers and rakes, if necessary.
  3. Watch your step when picking litter away from trails or pathways. Take caution on natural terrain, never travel on slopes or uneven ground. Be aware of moving vehicles in parking lots, near roadways, etc.
  4. Keep your distance from wild birds and animals. Do not disturb nesting birds or other wildlife in community areas.
  5. Do not handle any sharp or hazardous materials. Please make note of the location and we will have staff collect safely.

Thank you for your volunteer efforts in keeping Markham beautiful.