Ontario Celebrating Provincial Day of Action on Litter in Scarborough

Province supporting environmental stewardship and encouraging Ontarians to prevent and reduce waste

May 9, 2023

SCARBOROUGH — The Ontario government is celebrating the Provincial Day of Action on Litter on May 9, 2023, by encouraging everyone to get outside and take part in safe litter cleanups in their local communities.

The annual Provincial Day of Action on Litter aims to educate and build awareness on the impacts of litter in the environment and encourage all Ontarians to pick up litter they encounter in public places, including parks, lakes and rivers. Individuals can take actions to reduce litter, either on their own initiative, or in groups organized by schools, community organizations, municipalities or businesses.

“We all have a role to play in reducing the amount of waste going to landfills or becoming litter, especially in our own communities,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “On this Provincial Day of Action on Litter, whether you’re participating in a local park cleanup with your neighbours, or at your school, thank you for doing your part to help keep Ontario beautiful now and for future generations.

The government continues to work on keeping our parks and waterways free of litter and waste. Together, we can keep our neighbourhoods and province clean for all Ontarians to enjoy.

Quick Facts

  • The first Provincial Day of Action on Litter took place May 12, 2020.
  • Some municipalities, such as the County of Simcoe in 2020 and the Township of Scugog in 2022, have officially declared or proclaimed the Day of Action on Litter.
  • Ontario generates nearly one tonne of waste per person each year.
  • 70 per cent of all waste materials from residential, commercial, industrial and institutional locations end up in landfills and 30 per cent are diverted.
  • Ontario is transitioning the Blue Box Program to a producer responsibility model to improve recycling and address plastic pollution and litter.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES