Home / Environment / Ottawa Cracks Down on Illegal Dumping in Parks
Ottawa Cracks Down on Illegal Dumping in Parks
17 Jun
Summary
- Inspectors examine trash for identifying information.
- Illegal dumping fines start at $500 in Ottawa parks.
- Most residents comply with the three-item garbage limit.
Ottawa's solid waste services department is employing a new tactic against illegal dumping in city parks: inspecting discarded garbage for identifying information. This initiative comes after the implementation of a three-item limit on curbside garbage collection nearly two years ago, which led to an expected increase in illegal dumping.
Last year saw a 263% rise in illegal dumping service requests. Solid waste inspectors now investigate, opening bags to find clues like names and addresses. If found, they educate residents about the limit and compliance. Enforcement is also an option, with fines starting at $500 for park dumping.
Recent data indicates a potential decline in illegal dumping incidents. Reports in parks doubled from 855 in the first three months of 2024 to 1,622 in the same period of 2025, but then fell to 494 reports by March 2026. Despite these efforts, over 98% of Ottawa residents are complying with the three-item limit, significantly reducing landfill material.
The city's Trail Road landfill has approximately nine years of capacity remaining. Diversion efforts are underway to extend this, and the city is seeking provincial approval to expand the facility.
