Illegal dumping is the abandonment or disposal of materials in unpermitted areas, such as:
- wooded areas
- parks or public spaces
- roadsides
- commercial waste bins without permission
Common items found at illegal dumpsites often include construction and demolition debris, large and/or bulky items such as appliances and furniture, household chemicals and paints, and bags of unsorted residential and commercial waste.
Why it matters?
- Creates safety and environmental risks.
- Attracts more dumping in the same area.
- Increases clean-up costs for property owners and the municipality.
What should you do?
- Dispose of waste using proper collection or drop-off options.
- Do not leave items beside bins, on roadside, or on someone else's property.
- Use municipal collection programs for bulky items, household hazardous waste, and construction & demolition debris.
To learn about prevention and reporting of litter, visit halifax.ca/litter.
If you are experiencing illegal dumping on your property, here are some Strategies to Deter Illegal Dumping. The information is relevant to both businesses and residential properties.
Reporting
Call 311 if:
- You see debris on HRM property that requires a cleanup.
- You witness someone leaving garbage/recycling /debris etc. on yours or a neighbor’s property.
- You see garbage on the side of a municipal road that requires a cleanup.
- You observe an illegal dumpsite. These can also be reported through the Halifax Recycles app.
Call the police if:
- You see someone currently dumping waste and they’re still in the area.
Contact the Department of Transportation if:
- You see something that requires clean up on the side of a provincial road.
Please Note: Halifax Regional Municipality is not responsible for removing illegally dumped material from private property. Property owners should place the dumped material curbside for collection on their regular garbage day or make arrangements for the material to be removed from their property.