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Illegal Dumping
Illegal dumping affects everyone in the community. We all need to take on the responsibility of monitoring and sustaining our environment for the benefit of the community and future generations.
The City of Steinbach, together with Manitoba Conservation, are working to enforce litter laws and issue charges to individuals who violate the Environment Act.
Illegal dumping occurs when unwanted waste is disposed of in undesirable locations, including: vacant or private properties, building sites, commercial garbage bins, parks, woods, bushes, roadsides, ditches, and waterways.
From throwing out a hamburger wrapper on the highway to dumping personal garbage in a commercial waste bin, illegal dumping is wrong and needs to be reported and stopped.
Improper Disposal
Improper disposal refers to the disposal of garbage in or near the wrong receptacle. This includes throwing household or construction garbage into the dumpster of a business; dumping grass clippings or other yard waste into drainage ditches; or when garbage is dumped at a site not designated as a sanitary landfill.
Yard Waste
Disposing of yard and garden waste other than at the Steinbach Landfill facility or via the City’s compost depots is still illegal dumping. Inappropriate disposal of waste attracts other waste and illegal dumping encourages other similar activity.
Littering
This means dropping waste on the ground or throwing waste out a vehicle window.
Reporting a person dumping waste illegally:
Record the date, time and location where the incident occurred. Include as many details as possible, such as the description of the violator(s), the vehicle that was used, license plate number, items that were disposed of, etc. If you have a camera, take some pictures only if they can be taken without alarming the violator(s). If you choose to leave your name and number, they will be held in confidence.
The information recorded should be submitted to the City of Steinbach’s Community Services Officer (CSO) by e-mail to tschellenberg@steinbach.ca, or called in to 346-6561, or dropped off at the CSO’s office at 225 Reimer Avenue in Steinbach.
Contact the City’s Community Services Officer by e-mail at tschellenberg@steinbach.ca, or by phone at 346-6561.
Manitoba Conservation also has prohibitions on illegal dumping and littering.
They can be contacted at 1-800-214-6497.
Absolutely. By reporting incidents of illegal dumping you not only help to keep your neighbourhood and city clean and safe, but also ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
You can take action in the following ways:
• Dispose of your garbage properly either curbside or bring it to the Steinbach Landfill (link), where you will be required to pay a $5 levy fee for waste that is not recyclable or compostable
• Bring your hazardous waste to the City’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Day (link)
• Participate in the City’s recycling and composting programs (link)
• Participate in Steinbach’s Annual Pick Up & Walk Community Clean-up event (link), usually held in April
• Organize a neighbourhood or community clean-up event. Contact the City’s Solid Waste Department at 346-6532 to get any disposal fees waived.
• Talk to others about the negative effects of illegal dumping
• Practice the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle
Illegal dumping can pose the following health, safety, environmental, and economic risks:
• Serious health problems associated with the attraction and breeding of disease-bearing flies and rodents
• Injury to individuals around overflowing commercial garbage bins
• Environmental problems connected with the improper disposal of hazardous waste
• Unsightly, overflowing garbage bins detracts from the enjoyment of our community
• Sends out a false message that it is an acceptable thing to do, and can encourage other non-desirable or illegal activities
• Costs the City and its residents money to clean up abandoned garbage and overflowing commercial bins
Private property owners are responsible for cleaning up garbage or litter on their own property. If the wastes are hazardous or dangerous in nature, the homeowner should contact an environmental company to arrange for proper disposal of these items.
The City of Steinbach encourages and promotes community clean-ups when possible. Aside from the community’s annual Pick Up & Walk community clean-up event, the City will waive all tipping fees at the Steinbach Landfill for community groups taking part in a larger clean-up effort. To make arrangements or for more information, please contact the Solid Waste Department at 346-6532.
The City of Steinbach is working together with Manitoba Conservation to enforce litter laws and issue offence notices to individuals who violate the Environment Act and municipal by-laws regarding illegal dumping. Many communities throughout Canada are facing the problem of illegal dumping and are now targeting violators with hefty fines. The City of Steinbach in cooperation with Manitoba Conservation has also issued fines for violations.
If your items are in good condition or working order, consider donating them to the local MCC Thrift store, Salvation Army, Red Cross, etc. Manitoba Hydro is currently running a Refrigerator Retirement Program where they will pay MB Hydro customers $40 for a working refrigerator 15 years or older, including free in-home pick up. Call 1-855-537-4343 or visit www.retiremyfridge.ca to book an appointment.
Fridges or appliances can also be dropped off at the Steinbach Landfill, where a $15 charge per fridge applies for proper disposal of the appliance. Appliances and other electronic waste are also collected at the Eastman Recycling Services building located in Steinbach's industrial park at 60 Industrial Road.
Transport any unwanted furniture to the Steinbach Landfill, 104 Hanover Road East. Contact friends or a private company to pickup the item if you are unable to transport it yourself.
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