The Region of Queens Municipality (RQM) is offering community groups a chance to turn roadside trash into hard-earned cash.
Council voted unanimously May 8 to launch a litter collection program that will pay organizations $100 for each one-kilometre stretch of roadway they clean up. The Solid Waste Community Collection Litter Program will be open to incorporated non-profit groups that complete the necessary paperwork, provide proof of insurance, and abide by rules governing the supervision of minors.
The program outline, approved by council, is short on specifics.
It does not indicate how sections of roadway will be chosen or what criteria will be used to confirm clean-ups are properly completed. It also fails to account for groups participating in existing programs, such as the provincial adopt-a-highway initiative.
RQM has budgeted $3,000 this fiscal year to pay organizations up to $300 each. Another $2,500 has been allocated to purchase safety vests, gloves, garbage bags and other supplies for program participants. “From a community perspective, I think it’s money well spent,” said Mayor David Dagley. “It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
Dagley acknowledged some residents might prefer to see increased enforcement rather than new spending. However, according to local police, writing more tickets is easier said than done.
“We need people to come forward because littering is a summary conviction offence,” said Const. Rob James of Queens District RCMP. “In order to prosecute for it, you have to have an eye witness who is willing to go to court if necessary.”
James said it’s “very common” to have people report littering offences, only to back out when asked about appearing in court.
Police issued a $410 fine to a local man in March for tossing pull-tab lottery tickets from his vehicle. This enforcement was only made possible by an independent witness who notified police and was willing to testify, James said.
Enforcement appears to be more routine when it comes to illegal dumping, another longstanding issue in Queens. While littering offences are the responsibility of police, unlawful dumping falls under the jurisdiction of RQM’s bylaw officer, Kelly-Anne Hurley.
“In 2017, we had 20 complaints of illegal dump sites,” said Hurley. “There were 15 penalties issued with a fine level of $237.50.” So far in 2018, there have already been 10 complaints and seven penalties. Whereas litter can be a single coffee cup or fast food wrapper, illegal dumping involves one or more bags of garbage, she said.
Hurley, a founding member of the Queens County Litter Abatement Group, believes local awareness efforts are beginning to pay off. The organization has held meetings and educational traffic stops in many parts of Queens, including Greenfield, Caledonia, Brooklyn, Milton and Liverpool.
“We’ve made a conscious effort to make this as far-reaching as possible,” said Coun. Jack Fancy, another founding member. The group’s work is supplementing existing anti-litter efforts by groups and individuals across Queens, he said.
Fancy, who’s been picking up improperly discarded trash for years, said littering shows “disrespect” for people and the environment.
“I think my community is beautiful,” he said. “This is not acceptable. People are sick and tired of it.”
RQM’s new litter collection program will give groups even more incentive to keep their communities clean, he said. “I’m really hoping that young people get involved. It will help make this less of a problem in future generations.”
LighthouseNow Progress Bulletin
May 23, 2018
Scott Costen 