In 2020, Metro Vancouver member jurisdictions reported approximately 47,000 illegal dumping incidents — up from 35,300 incidents five years ago. Clean-up costs totalled $3.6 million in 2020, compared to $2.74 million in 2015. It is estimated that municipalities with large item pick-up programs spent an additional $2.5 million to help residents dispose of bulky items.
Mattresses, furniture, household garbage, yard trimmings, gypsum, scrap metal, appliances, hazardous household items, electronics and construction materials were the most frequently abandoned items.
A combination of increased monitoring, signage, cameras and enforcement practices — including patrols and issuing tickets — has been effective in reducing illegal dumping in some municipalities. Local governments have also implemented large item pick-up programs, restricted access to known dumping sites, added streetscape recycling bins, run education campaigns, and expanded accepted items at recycling depots and drop-off events.
Metro Vancouver will explore opportunities to enhance data collection, develop and host web tools to help residents estimate disposal costs, and continue to advocate for expanded producer responsibility programs for commonly dumped materials.
Regulating more products under extended producer responsibility, such as mattresses and foundations, is one part of the new provincial action plan, which builds on B.C.’s leadership in preventing waste, reclaiming more materials and growing the circular economy.
Metro Vancouver continues to facilitate information sharing and collaboration among member jurisdictions to explore further strategies to reduce illegal dumping.
Find out what you can do to reduce illegal dumping at wasteinitsplace.ca.
