GENERAL COMMITTEE     

 

 

 

 

 

TO:

Mayor and Members of Council

 

 

 

 

FROM:

Peter Loukes, P.Eng., Director, Operations and Asset Management

 

 

 

 

PREPARED BY:

Peter Veiga, Supervisor, Waste Management Operations

 

 

 

 

DATE OF MEETING:

2005-May-2

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Markham’s Litter Prevention Strategy Update

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

THAT the Report entitled “Markham’s Litter Prevention Strategy Update” be received;

 

AND THAT a summer student position in the Waste Management Department be designated for litter prevention activities and tasks include development of a multi-year litter prevention strategy, and educational activities;

 

AND THAT a multi-year litter prevention strategy and associated costs be presented to Markham Council in the Fall of 2005.   

 

PURPOSE:

 

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the development of Markham’s litter prevention strategy.

 

BACKGROUND:

 

On February 02, 2004, Council received a report recommending the development of a litter prevention strategy for the Town of Markham encompassing a community awareness campaign, bylaw and enforcement review, infrastructure needs and associated costs.

 

Committee also referred the proposed slogan “Don’t Let Markham Go To Waste” back to staff for consideration of other options and requested that staff report back addressing additional components that will enhance the overall litter prevention message.

 

Waste management staff put forward a litter prevention program budget for consideration in Markham’s 2004 and 2005 Capital Budgets, which was subsequently removed due to competing financial pressures.

 

Region of York develops anti litter strategy

 

At its meeting of September 23, 2004, Regional Council adopted a five year “York Region Litter Prevention Strategy” and program budget that recommended harmonization of the Regional and Local Municipalities litter prevention strategies and communications. The Region’s Litter Prevention Campaign proposed litter clean-up events throughout the region, an education and promotion campaign and signage on transit vehicles, shelters, and litter bins.   

 

As part of the 2005 regional budget process, litter prevention program funding was removed from the Region’s 2005 Solid Waste Management Budget.

 

2005 Litter Prevention Activities

 

In recognition of the limited resources of all affected parties, staff is proposing litter prevention activities in 2005 that can be accommodated within the 2005 waste management operating budget. The litter prevention activities recommended for 2005 include:

 

  1. Participation in “20 Minute Makeover” on April 22, 2005;
  2. One of the approved waste management summer student positions be dedicated to litter prevention activities;
  3. Litter prevention messaging incorporated into waste management educational and promotional materials;
  4. Discussions with School Boards regarding Community Service Hours;
  5. Development of a comprehensive, multi-year litter prevention strategy.

 

20-Minute Makeover – Community Litter Clean-up April 22, 2005

 

On Friday, April 22 (Earth Day) 2005, the Town partnered with Toronto, Oakville, Mississauga, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Pickering and Ajax in an annual community litter clean-up event called the 20- Minute Makeover.

 

This annual event encourages residents, businesses, and schools to pick up litter around their neighbourhoods.  The event contributes building on a sense of community pride and engagement. Markham schools, fast food chain restaurants, the BIAs, members of the Markham Board of Trade, major developers, and ratepayers and environmental groups have all been informed of the event.

 

Eight sponsors are promoting the event and distributing litter clean-up bags and gloves: TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Home Depot, Tim Hortons, Toronto Star, The Beer Store, Pizza Pizza, The Toronto Sun and McDonald’s. The Town provided supplemental advertising at all Town facilities, and litter bags and gloves, and the Burger King restaurant at 7220 Kennedy Rd., in Markham, provided free food to all registered participants.

 

Summer student position:

 

For 2005, Waste Management department resources are dedicated to implementation of the new 3-stream waste management system. It is recommended that one of the waste management summer student positions be assigned litter education and prevention responsibilities under the supervision of the Supervisor Waste Management Operations.

 

This position would be responsible for:

 

·                     Development of educational materials, presentations, newsletter

·                     By-law review regarding littering and/or illegal dumping

·                     Strategy development;

·                     Review potential corporate sponsors;

·                     Assist in the coordination of clean-up events;

·                     Liaise with the Region and Local municipal staff on litter prevention iniatives.

·                     Research potential of using community litter clean up as being counted towards the 40 hours of community service required for York Region high school students

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

 

There are no financial implications associated with this report. The resources required for a multi-year litter prevention campaign will be outlined to Council in a subsequent report.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

 

A successful litter prevention strategy will raise awareness about litter and the environmental degradation associated with litter.

 

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

 

None.

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

 

An effective litter prevention campaign is consistent with the Town’s Community vision of Preserving our Natural and Built environment and its Corporate Goals of Environmental Focus, Fiscal Stewardship, Quality Community, and strong Economic Development.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

 

Corporate Communications and Waste Management staff to work together to incorporate litter prevention messages in Town communication materials and web site.

 

CONCLUSION:

 

Changing attitudes and behaviours about litter will require a multi-year education and awareness campaign that may require additional financial resources. Staff will present a subsequent report to Council in September 2005 which outlines the campaign and associated costs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Loukes, Director, Operations and Asset Management

 

Jim Sales

Commissioner of Community and Fire Services

Q:\Commission Share\Operations and Asset Management\Reports\2005\C & U\Waste\Anti-Litter Campaign-May.doc