Littering? That's so trash.

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Littering and illegal dumping are not harmless habits. They damage the environment, threaten wildlife, drain public resources, and take a real toll on the community we all share.

In spring 2025, the City of Pickering launched Littering? That’s So Trash, a bold public awareness campaign designed to push back against careless and illegal behaviour, promote accountability, and encourage residents to speak up.

Since the campaign launched, more than 300 cases have been reported through the City’s Customer Care Centre - a 25 per cent increase that shows the community is paying attention and taking action.

That action is making a difference. Municipal Law Enforcement has increased patrols in high-complaint areas and continues to pursue charges where evidence permits. Since the campaign began, the City has laid more than 45 charges for illegal dumping, sending a clear message that this behaviour will not be ignored.

When charges cannot be laid, the City continues the work through education, awareness, and community outreach. Recent efforts include a printed pamphlet with multilingual information in Pickering’s top eight languages, along with an online guide that can be translated into more than 100 languages.

Borrowing from a phrase popularized through social media and online culture, Littering? That’s So Trash uses familiar language to call out behaviour that is careless, harmful, and socially unacceptable. By giving the phrase a literal and local meaning, the campaign reinforces a message of environmental responsibility, civic pride, and collective action.

A cleaner Pickering starts with all of us. When residents report, respond, and stand together, we are stronger - and those who disrespect our city are put on notice.

Get Involved:

1. View the our Educational Waste Guides

View the City's new Educational Guide here! Printed copies will also be made available at City facilities. You can also view a more detailed Region of Durham guide here.



2. Participate in a Community Cleanup

  • Register to host a community cleanup during the spring and summer months. Bags and gloves will be provided while quantities last. Register here.

Share photos from your events (tag @CityOfPickering and use the hashtag #ThatsSoTrash - you could be featured next on the City's social media channels).


3. Social Media Toolkit - Save, Share, and Inspire

Help us spread the word and inspire change.

We've made a Social Media Toolkit available to you on the project page. Save any photos you want from here and share on your own social media channels! All you have to do is tag @CityOfPickering and use the hashtag #ThatsSoTrash

4. Print Toolkit - Save, Print, and Inspire

A Print Toolkit is available on the project page, which includes posters and flyers designed to spread awareness.

Download, print, and display them in your school, business, or community to help raise awareness and inspire action against littering.

5. Explore our Resources

We've compiled a variety of useful information and resources for you on this project page. If you're looking for any additional information, please contact us at sustainability@pickering.ca

6. See bad behaviour? Report it!

If you witness littering or illegal dumping, please gather as much information as possible (description of individuals, vehicle plates, and locations) and report it to the City's Customer Care Centre:

You can also report below using our Report Tool.

Thank you for being a community champion.

This campaign aims to raise awareness and influence behavioural change around careless littering and illegal dumping. Thank you for your support!

Littering and illegal dumping are not harmless habits. They damage the environment, threaten wildlife, drain public resources, and take a real toll on the community we all share.

In spring 2025, the City of Pickering launched Littering? That’s So Trash, a bold public awareness campaign designed to push back against careless and illegal behaviour, promote accountability, and encourage residents to speak up.

Since the campaign launched, more than 300 cases have been reported through the City’s Customer Care Centre - a 25 per cent increase that shows the community is paying attention and taking action.

That action is making a difference. Municipal Law Enforcement has increased patrols in high-complaint areas and continues to pursue charges where evidence permits. Since the campaign began, the City has laid more than 45 charges for illegal dumping, sending a clear message that this behaviour will not be ignored.

When charges cannot be laid, the City continues the work through education, awareness, and community outreach. Recent efforts include a printed pamphlet with multilingual information in Pickering’s top eight languages, along with an online guide that can be translated into more than 100 languages.

Borrowing from a phrase popularized through social media and online culture, Littering? That’s So Trash uses familiar language to call out behaviour that is careless, harmful, and socially unacceptable. By giving the phrase a literal and local meaning, the campaign reinforces a message of environmental responsibility, civic pride, and collective action.

A cleaner Pickering starts with all of us. When residents report, respond, and stand together, we are stronger - and those who disrespect our city are put on notice.

Get Involved:

1. View the our Educational Waste Guides

View the City's new Educational Guide here! Printed copies will also be made available at City facilities. You can also view a more detailed Region of Durham guide here.



2. Participate in a Community Cleanup

  • Register to host a community cleanup during the spring and summer months. Bags and gloves will be provided while quantities last. Register here.

Share photos from your events (tag @CityOfPickering and use the hashtag #ThatsSoTrash - you could be featured next on the City's social media channels).


3. Social Media Toolkit - Save, Share, and Inspire

Help us spread the word and inspire change.

We've made a Social Media Toolkit available to you on the project page. Save any photos you want from here and share on your own social media channels! All you have to do is tag @CityOfPickering and use the hashtag #ThatsSoTrash

4. Print Toolkit - Save, Print, and Inspire

A Print Toolkit is available on the project page, which includes posters and flyers designed to spread awareness.

Download, print, and display them in your school, business, or community to help raise awareness and inspire action against littering.

5. Explore our Resources

We've compiled a variety of useful information and resources for you on this project page. If you're looking for any additional information, please contact us at sustainability@pickering.ca

6. See bad behaviour? Report it!

If you witness littering or illegal dumping, please gather as much information as possible (description of individuals, vehicle plates, and locations) and report it to the City's Customer Care Centre:

You can also report below using our Report Tool.

Thank you for being a community champion.

This campaign aims to raise awareness and influence behavioural change around careless littering and illegal dumping. Thank you for your support!

  • Pickering takes part in 'Clear Your Gear' project to support wildlife safety at waterfront

    Share Pickering takes part in 'Clear Your Gear' project to support wildlife safety at waterfront on Facebook Share Pickering takes part in 'Clear Your Gear' project to support wildlife safety at waterfront on Twitter Share Pickering takes part in 'Clear Your Gear' project to support wildlife safety at waterfront on Linkedin Email Pickering takes part in 'Clear Your Gear' project to support wildlife safety at waterfront link

    Pickering, ON, August 18, 2022 – Yesterday, the City of Pickering and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) unveiled the City’s new fishing line receptacles, part of the ‘Clear Your Gear’ project, a volunteer-led fishing recycling network that keeps wildlife and residents safe from improperly disposed of fishing lines.

    Improper disposal of fishing lines can pose a major safety risk to wildlife, people, and property. To help, the City has installed six fishing line receptacles along Pickering’s waterfront.

    These receptacles will help ensure that all fishing lines can be properly disposed of, and that Pickering’s waterfront area is kept safe for all.

    How it works:

    1. Visitors will deposit their used fishing lines into the receptacles
    2. City staff will empty the receptacles and sort out any garbage
    3. Staff will ship the fishing lines to a designated facility to be recycled

    “We are thrilled to support the Clear Your Gear project and improve the safety of our wildlife, residents, and visitors,” said Lindsey Narraway, Supervisor, Animal Services. “Unfortunately, we have seen many animals become injured due to improperly disposed of fishing lines. Installing these receptacles will hopefully encourage those fishing to dispose of them the right way, and in return, protect those within our community.”

    Pickering is one of the first municipalities to sponsor this program and looks forward to offering residents and visitors a new, easy, and sustainable way to dispose of fishing lines.

    Visit pickering.ca/fishing to learn about the initiative, proper fishing etiquette, and more.

    To learn more about Clear Your Gear, visit ClearYourGear.ca


    Pickering, ON, August 18, 2022 – Yesterday, the City of Pickering and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) unveiled the City’s new fishing line receptacles, part of the ‘Clear Your Gear’ project, a volunteer-led fishing recycling network that keeps wildlife and residents safe from improperly disposed of fishing lines.

    Improper disposal of fishing lines can pose a major safety risk to wildlife, people, and property. To help, the City has installed six fishing line receptacles along Pickering’s waterfront.

    These receptacles will help ensure that all fishing lines can be properly disposed of, and that Pickering’s waterfront area is kept safe for all.

    How it works:

    1. Visitors will deposit their used fishing lines into the receptacles
    2. City staff will empty the receptacles and sort out any garbage
    3. Staff will ship the fishing lines to a designated facility to be recycled

    “We are thrilled to support the Clear Your Gear project and improve the safety of our wildlife, residents, and visitors,” said Lindsey Narraway, Supervisor, Animal Services. “Unfortunately, we have seen many animals become injured due to improperly disposed of fishing lines. Installing these receptacles will hopefully encourage those fishing to dispose of them the right way, and in return, protect those within our community.”

    Pickering is one of the first municipalities to sponsor this program and looks forward to offering residents and visitors a new, easy, and sustainable way to dispose of fishing lines.

    Visit pickering.ca/fishing to learn about the initiative, proper fishing etiquette, and more.

    To learn more about Clear Your Gear, visit ClearYourGear.ca


Page last updated: 13 May 2026, 07:45 AM