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Ontario is taking steps to reduce waste and keep the environment clean for future generations. Every year, people in Ontario throw away nearly one tonne of waste per person. Some of that waste ends up as litter in streets, parks, and waterways, where it can harm animals and damage the environment.
To raise awareness, the province holds the Day of Action on Litter every second Tuesday in May. This day encourages everyone to do their part to help reduce waste and litter in their homes and communities.
Litter and waste have serious impacts. Plastic items, for example, can take hundreds of years to break down and may enter lakes and rivers, eventually turning into microplastics. These small particles can hurt fish, birds, and other animals. Food waste is also a major problem. When it ends up in landfills, it produces methane, a greenhouse gas that is much stronger than carbon dioxide.
That’s why it’s important to take simple actions to help. This can include using your blue and green bins properly, reusing items instead of throwing them out, and avoiding waste altogether by choosing products with less packaging. You can also do your part by cleaning up litter in your neighbourhood and putting trash where it belongs.
At home, you can make a difference by planning your meals to avoid food waste, making your own compost, or reusing items like jars and containers. Even small actions—like using a reusable cup instead of a disposable one—can help.
If you see illegal dumping or areas where there’s a lot of litter, you can report it to your local government or by calling Ontario’s pollution hotline at 1-866-663-8477.
Written by: K. Milhomens