Anti-Dumping

At the Town of New Tecumseth, we are committed to keeping our community safe and clean for everyone to enjoy. Our Cleaning and Clearing By-law prohibits littering and dumping on both public and private property. With your help, we can keep New Tecumseth Clean and Green.

Garbage and Recycling

Garbage and recycling services in the Town of New Tecumseth are provided by the County of Simcoe. Visit the County's website to:

  1. Find out your collection day
  2. Sign up for waste alerts that could impact your regular collection
  3. Find the closest dump to you and hours of operation
  4. Find a retailer that sells additional garbage bag tags
  5. Learn how to sort your waste

Don't have a truck, but have large items to dispose of? The County of Simcoe will pick up these items when you schedule a Bulky Item Pick Up.

Save Time and Money

The dumping of household garbage on roadways and in our open spaces leads to thousands of dollars in additional clean-up efforts each year. This is money that could be spent on playgrounds, amenities, or other beautification projects for the community to enjoy.

Help The Environment

Pitch-in Canada Day

The Town of New Tecumseth successfully participates in the annual Pitch-in Canada program every spring.  Through the program, residents are encouraged to pitch-in to help clean up the community.  Town staff arrange the supply of garbage bags and gloves and the pickup of any waste collected. 

Program highlights include:

  • Successful Town of New Tecumseth Participation since 2008.
  • Great community support with approximately 900 residents participating in the spring of 2022.
  • Participating residents/groups decide on a location that they want to clean up – whether it be a schoolyard, neighbourhood parks, playgrounds, churches, sports fields etc.
  • Town of New Tecumseth Parks and Recreation staff provide leadership/coordination for this event.  Please contact Parks and Recreation for more information.

New Tecumseth’s Adopt a Road Program

The Town of New Tecumseth’s Adopt-A-Road program (AAR) been established as a public service program for volunteers to enhance the local litter collection activities by picking litter along Town road rights-of-way. In short, groups/individuals agree to pick up litter at least twice a year along their adopted section of roadway beginning May 1 and ending October 31.   Training is provided to new participants along with safety vests, gloves, and bags which the group representative/individual picks up prior to their clean-up.

For further information on participating in the Town of New Tecumseth Adopt a Road program, please email us. 

Application form on the website.

County of Simcoe’s Adopt a Highway Program

The County of Simcoe's Adopt-A-Road program (AAR) has been established as a public service program for volunteers to enhance the local litter collection activities by picking litter along County road rights-of-way. It is a way for environmentally conscious groups and individuals to contribute to a cleaner and more beautiful county road system.

The County of Simcoe would like to thank all organizations and groups that participate Adopt-A-Highway Program. Your efforts are very much appreciated and we look forward to working with you again on this very important initiative.

 Program Benefits
 
  • Encourages community spirit and pride
  • Allows local groups to take an active role in the common objective of cleaner and safer communities
  • Saves tax dollars
 Who
 Local Community groups including:
  • Service Groups
  • Church Groups
  • Youth Organizations*
  • Area Home Owner Groups
  • Cultural / Music Groups
  • Local Business
  • Any local group interested in keeping their community clean.**

*Details regarding age requirements in the safety guidelines. The County reserves the right to screen applications.

Groups may also invite family and friends of group members to participate.

**Only volunteers who have participated in and watched the required Ministry of Transportation Safety Training Video as presented by the Authorized Group Representative and who have signed the attached form are allowed to participate in this program.
 When
Approved groups generally perform litter pick ups at least twice annually, typically, during late spring and early fall. You choose the dates that are best for your group and simply notify the Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator 5 days in advance of your outing. After you have completed your litter collection, inform the Coordinator so the County can dispatch their forces to pick up the trash bags.
 How
 For more information contact:

                 Chris Doherty
                 Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator
                 Transportation and Engineering Department
                 County of Simcoe
                 Administration Centre
                 Midhurst, Ontario
                 L0L 1X0
                 (705) 726-9300 Ext 1161
 Where
 Under the program all County roads qualify for adoption.
Adopted sections of County roadways are typically 2 to 5 kilometres in length.
 Costs
The County provides:
  • A complimentary road sign with your group's name to indicate your involvement in the program
  • Safety vests (maximum 15) for your group members. (Discounted prices for additional vests if required.)
  • Road crew safety signs
  • Pick up & disposal of collected litter

The volunteer group provides:

  • Time & Effort
  • Personal protective wear

Safety Guidelines for Volunteers

Think Safety

There are few simple rules worth remembering when it comes to safety working along the roadway. These rules must be reviewed by all volunteers before each clean-up session.

Volunteers Must:

  • receive annual safety training as presented in the Ministry of Transportation Safety Training Video, (video provided by the County of Simcoe), prior to the first pick-up of the year and review safety rules before each clean-up.
  • be at least 12 years old.
  • always wear a County approved safety vest.
  • display the "road work" sign erected on the Adopt-a-Highway sign post before starting the clean-up.
  • car pool to minimize the number of vehicles at the work-site and always disembark from vehicles on the side adjacent to the ditch.
  • park parallel to the road and as far off of the travelled portion as possible.
  • park vehicles on the same side of the roadway as the volunteers.
  • cleanup only one side of the roadway at a time and work towards oncoming traffic.
  • drive to the opposite side of the roadway when switching sides.
  • pick-up litter during daylight hours only.
  • flag hazards and unidentifiable items for pick-up by County staff.
  • stay clear of any maintenance or construction operations and equipment.
  • stay clear of water hazards.
  • discontinue work in inclement weather.
  • place filled trash bags at the designated pick-up site(s) for County removal.
  • close the "road work" sign when finished the litter pick-up.

Volunteers Must not:

  • disembark from vehicles until "road work" sign has been displayed.
  • walk or pick-up litter on the pavement shoulder, or in the median.
  • work on bridges, overpasses, steep ground, or in tunnels.
  • walk across the pavement to switch sides.
  • touch or pick-up hazardous items or any thing that can not be identified.
  • wear clothing or display material that might distract motorists.
  • use or posses illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages before or during the clean-up.
    step or jump on trash bags.

For Your Own Safety:

  • stay mentally alert at all times.
  • wear protective footwear and gloves.
  • wear light-coloured clothing that covers arms and legs.
  • wear a baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat and sun screen lotion.
  • drink lots of fluids while you work especially on hot humid days.
  • be aware of any special needs of fellow volunteers (i.e. Medical).
  • stay alert for and avoid hazardous plants (: poison ivy) and stinging insects.

In Case of Emergency

  • have a first aid-kit immediately available.
  • pre-select the most direct route to the nearest medical emergency facility.
  • always have transportation immediately available.
  • know where the nearest telephone is located.

 Report illegal dumping

You can report illegal dumping and littering to our Bylaw Department who will investigate.

Someone throwing garbage out car windowNo Dumping Bylaw sign maximum $5,000 fine.

 

 

If you witness dumping in road side ditches, open spaces, or anywhere within our community, please call or email our By-law Team to report the activity 705-435-3900 or email us.