Litter Action

• Litter damages the environment: as discarded items break down or decompose, they can leach chemicals that pollute the soil and water. Litter can block stormwater drains, and often enters local waterways. Many items, including microplastics and cigarette butts, will stay in our ecosystems for years.
• Litter harms pets and wildlife: animals may eat discarded objects or food debris, which can cause organ damage and even death.
• Litter is unsightly to residents, visitors and businesses in our community, with potential negative impacts on economic activity like shopping and tourism. Long-term impacts may deter economic investment from new business.

Keeping Peterborough litter-free is a shared responsibility. Small actions can have big impacts on our community.

• When you’re out, place your waste in the nearest garbage or recycling receptacle.
• Prevent curbside garbage and recycling from becoming litter in inclement weather. Make sure recyclables stay in blue bins on windy days by placing heavier items on top of lighter items, stacking blue boxes, and placing paper sideways or tying paper products in bundles
• If you smoke, fully extinguish your cigarette butt and place it in a garbage bin, ashtray, or pocket ashtray. 
• Organizing a picnic or gathering in a City park? Plan ahead and bring food in reusable containers that you can pack out when you leave. Put any waste into garbage and recycling bins, or bring an extra bag so that you can take your waste out with you, and sort into garbage and recycling once you get home. Thank you for doing your part to keep our parks beautiful and enjoyable for everyone.

If you find a needle that has not been properly disposed of in a City park or on a trail, please call Recreation and Parks Services at 705-742-0050 ext. 2205#. On weekdays after 8 p.m. and weekends, call 705-745-1386. Peterborough Public Health provides advice for disposing of needles on private property on their Found Needles page.