Provincial Day of Action on Litter 2026

Peterborough, ON – The Provincial Day of Action on Litter takes place Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Celebrated on the second Tuesday of May each year, the initiative aims to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills or becoming litter by bringing awareness to the impact of waste on the environment.   

Litter can harm local ecosystems, wildlife and waterways, and creates cleanup costs for municipalities and communities. Everyone can help reduce litter by reducing waste, properly disposing of items and participating in local cleanup efforts. 

Ways to help reduce litter include:   

• Reducing waste by using items, repairing items where possible or purchasing second-hand items  

• Diverting waste from landfills by recycling or composting materials when and where possible     

• Preventing waste and litter before it is created by choosing to buy goods with less packaging or by bringing a reusable container to take-out establishments that accept them  

• Properly disposing of waste by making sure anything that does belong in the trash is securely placed in garbage bins to help keep neighbourhoods clean  

Groups can request a litter cleanup kit from the City of Peterborough’s Public Works department, for general neighbourhood cleanups or Recreation and Parks department, for park cleanups, to support community cleanup efforts. Kits include gloves and bags, and City staff can arrange a pickup location for collected waste after the event. To request a cleanup kit, visit peterborough.ca/litteraction.  

To date in 2026, the City has supported 20 community cleanup events across Peterborough. 

Community input is being sought to support Clean Streets Peterborough, a review of waste collection, litter management, and garbage on streets, parks, trails, and public spaces across the city. 

Residents, businesses and visitors are encouraged to complete the survey to help evaluate collection schedules, service levels, waste diversion programs, public education, enforcement, landfill operations, and the placement and maintenance of waste bins in parks, trails and rights-of-way.  

Feedback will help guide future improvements and ensure programs continue to meet the needs of a growing and changing city. The surveys are open until June 19 at 11:59 p.m. and are available at connectptbo.ca/CleanStreetsPtbo. 

For more information visit peterborough.ca/litteraction.