What is illegal dumping?
Illegal dumping is when someone leaves waste on public land, in a ravine, or on private property without permission. In Wrenford, this often happens along the Tamsin River Trail and in the Corvid Creek Ravine. It pollutes our waterways, harms wildlife, and costs taxpayers thousands of dollars every year to clean up. It also makes our neighbourhoods look neglected and can be dangerous.
How to report illegal dumping
If you see waste dumped illegally, please report it. Your report helps us hold offenders accountable and keeps our community clean. You can report it through Wrenford 311 online, by calling 519-555-0100, or by calling 311 from a phone inside city limits.
When you report, try to provide as much detail as you can. This helps by-law officers act quickly:
- The exact location of the dumped waste
- A description of the vehicle and its plate number
- Photos of the waste and the vehicle, if it is safe to take them
- The date and time you saw it
- Your name and contact information
You must be willing to complete a witness statement if an officer needs one. If you see the act happening right now, call 911. Do not try to stop the person yourself.
What happens after you report it
Once you submit a report, our by-law team creates a file. A by-law officer will investigate your complaint within four business days. Depending on the situation, the officer may:
- Contact you to gather more details or take a formal statement
- Visit the site to secure the area and mark it as under investigation
- Canvass the neighbourhood for other witnesses or evidence
- Issue a notice to the property owner or vehicle operator to remove the waste
- Issue a ticket or lay charges if there is enough evidence
If the officer finds there is not enough evidence to identify who dumped the waste, the file may be closed. We still send crews to clean up the site so the area stays safe.
Fines and penalties
Illegal dumping is an offence under By-law 2026-060. Offenders can face serious consequences:
- Individuals can be fined up to $500 for a first offence, with higher amounts for repeat offences
- Businesses can be fined up to $20,000
- Anyone caught dumping may be ordered to pay for the full cost of cleanup and site restoration
- Repeat offenders can face prosecution under the Provincial Offences Act, which carries heavier fines and possible court appearances
By-law Enforcement Manager Noah Feldman and his team work closely with the Wrenford Police Service to track dump sites and target hotspots. If you own a property that is frequently targeted, consider installing security cameras or requesting "No Dumping" signs for your yard.
How to dispose of waste properly
Wrenford makes it easy to get rid of waste legally. Always use your garbage cart, blue bin, or green bin for regular household waste. For items we do not collect, check the Waste Wizard to find the right disposal method.
You can also:
- Use the Bulky item pickup service for up to three large items per collection, two times per year
- Drop off unwanted items at the East Wrenford Waste Management Facility or the Northgate Drop-off Depot
- Donate usable furniture and goods to local charities
When you dispose of your waste correctly, you help keep Wrenford's parks, trails, and streets clean for everyone.
Contact us
For questions about waste disposal or to report a recurring dumping problem, contact the Waste Programs team at [email protected] or 519-555-0100.
For by-law enforcement questions, contact By-law Enforcement at [email protected].