Littering? That's so trash.

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In 2024, the City of Pickering responded to over 240 cases of careless littering and illegal dumping reported through our Customer Care Centre.

Each instance not only pollutes Pickering's natural public spaces, but also endangers wildlife, disrupts local ecosystems, and strains community resources.

That's why we're inviting you to learn more and take action with 'Littering? That's So Trash' - a campaign designed to promote accountability and inspire change.

'That's So Trash' has evolved beyond its literal meaning of garbage - among Millennials and Gen Z, 'trash' has been widely adopted as slang to describe something low-quality, undesirable, or socially unacceptable, making it an effective and relatable term for this campaign. By repurposing this phrase, the City hopes to highlight the shameful nature of littering while fostering a sense of community pride and environmental responsibility.

Get Involved:

1. Participate in a Community Cleanup

  • Register to host a community cleanup any time during the month of April! Bags and gloves will be provided while quantities last. Register here.(External link)

  • Tuesday, April 22 - Join local schools, families, neighbourhood groups and businesses to give Pickering a makeover by picking up litter around the community for at least 20 minutes. Bags and gloves will be provided while quantities last. Register here(External link).

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


2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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(External link)

5. 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.

Earth Month Activities - interested in planting trees, learning how to grow your own vegetables, or learning about the lifecycle of a honey bee? Learn more about our exciting line-up of Earth Month events!(External link)

In 2024, the City of Pickering responded to over 240 cases of careless littering and illegal dumping reported through our Customer Care Centre.

Each instance not only pollutes Pickering's natural public spaces, but also endangers wildlife, disrupts local ecosystems, and strains community resources.

That's why we're inviting you to learn more and take action with 'Littering? That's So Trash' - a campaign designed to promote accountability and inspire change.

'That's So Trash' has evolved beyond its literal meaning of garbage - among Millennials and Gen Z, 'trash' has been widely adopted as slang to describe something low-quality, undesirable, or socially unacceptable, making it an effective and relatable term for this campaign. By repurposing this phrase, the City hopes to highlight the shameful nature of littering while fostering a sense of community pride and environmental responsibility.

Get Involved:

1. Participate in a Community Cleanup

  • Register to host a community cleanup any time during the month of April! Bags and gloves will be provided while quantities last. Register here.(External link)

  • Tuesday, April 22 - Join local schools, families, neighbourhood groups and businesses to give Pickering a makeover by picking up litter around the community for at least 20 minutes. Bags and gloves will be provided while quantities last. Register here(External link).

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


2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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(External link)

5. 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.

Earth Month Activities - interested in planting trees, learning how to grow your own vegetables, or learning about the lifecycle of a honey bee? Learn more about our exciting line-up of Earth Month events!(External link)

  • 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
    25 Mar 2025

    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(External link) to learn about the initiative, proper fishing etiquette, and more.

    To learn more about Clear Your Gear, visit ClearYourGear.ca(External link)


Page last updated: 01 Apr 2025, 07:35 AM