Litter ranges from candy wrappers and beverage containers to cigarette butts and unwanted appliances. It accumulates on our streets, parks, streams, ravines and the countryside. Weather plays a big role - when it is windy, waste put out for collection can get blown all over the neighbourhood.
If you witness someone dumping garbage on city property, contact the city's Roads, Parks and Forestry Department at 905-333-6166.
Community Clean up Events
Clean Up Week and Green Up Day (Annual Earth Day Celebration)
The annual community Clean-up Week and Green-up Day events are organized by BurlingtonGreen. Groups and individuals can organize or take part in clean-ups across the community throughout the week around Earth Day.
As part of the Earth Day celebrations, a tree planting event is also organized, usually in May. And, since 2019, a follow-up Tree Loving Care event also takes place in the Fall.
For more information on any of these events, please visit the BurlingtonGreen website.
Organize a Clean Up (outside of Earth Day events)
The city supports groups that organize local clean-ups with neighbours and/or community groups on city property. Here are some tips to help you in organizing your clean-up event:
- Select an area you wish to clean up, such as a city park or ravine.
- Pick a date and time.
- Post the information on the community calendar if it is open to the public.
- The city can provide a limited number of gloves and garbage and recycling bags for the clean-up, and pick-up the garbage collected by volunteers (on city property only).
- Contact the Roads, Parks and Forestry Department at 905-333-6166 to arrange for pick-up of supplies at 3330 Harvester Rd, as well as a location to place collected garbage for pick-up.
Tips for Organizing a Neighbourhood Clean up
- Visit the area ahead of time to identify possible hazards - do not put participants in unsafe situations.
- Ensure you have enough adult supervision.
- Determine if you need any equipment (e.g. safety vests, rakes, shovels). Some equipment can be supplied through the Love My Hood program.
- Have a first aid kit available.
- Work in small groups.
- Each person should have at least one glove on.
- Remind children to ask an adult if an item is safe to pick up if they are unsure.
- Bring water and snacks - keep hydrated.
- Have sunscreen and insect repellant available.
- Have fun!
Schools
- Raise awareness about litter and the environment - organize a litter poster contest. Ask a local business to sponsor a prize.
- Reduce waste - challenge classrooms to bring litterless lunches.
- Organize clean-up events in the school yard.
- Appoint litter ambassadors and provide incentives to students to encourage them not to litter.