Update: Litter campaign in Montréal

The bylaw went into effect on 1 June, and trash bylaw inspectors issued $US 37,684  ($CDN 40,000) worth of tickets in the first three days.  Those targeted were businesses that were not in compliance; individuals have yet to be charged.

The cleanliness bylaw outlaws a range of trash and littering offenses, from throwing cigarettes on the ground to allowing garbage to pile up in laneways.  A first infraction for individuals ranges from $US 117 to $471 ($CDN 124 to $500); businesses are liable to fines of $US 471 to $942 ($CDN 500 to $1,000) for first infractions.  The money collected will be used to improve downtown areas.

Waste management approaches also reduce transportation-related emissions and overall energy savings by reusing items that would otherwise have to be manufactured. Also, a dependence on landfills can be reduced through waste prevention and recycling measures, resulting in the further elimination of greenhouse gas emissions. For more information on the importance of waste management, please visit www.iclei.org/ccp.

Montréal is one of 19 local governments in Canada that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.  For more information on ICLEI and its activities in Canada, please visit www.iclei.org/canada.

Source:  “New cleanliness bylaw nets downtown Montréal borough $40,000 in first three days”, National Post, 6 June 2007.