Gananoque mayor urges residents to stop dumping household waste in public bins

The Town of Gananoque is calling on residents and visitors to take better care of its public spaces by properly using trash receptacles.

These bins, located in parks and along sidewalks, are intended only for single-use waste like wrappers, cans, and takeout containers – not for household garbage, hazardous materials, recyclables, or compostables.

Last Thursday, Mayor John Beddows released a statement on the matter, urging the community to respect the system, which is funded by taxpayer dollars.

“Our property taxes pay for the convenience of public waste receptacles, public garbage cans,” reads the statement. “They provide convenient disposal for small items like wrappers, cans and takeout containers and serve not only residents but visitors to our Town. They help keep our Town beautiful and they are a public health measure to help ensure that food waste is collected. Please use them as often as you need to for their intended purpose.”

The town also warned against leaving waste outside bins if they are full, urging individuals to take their trash home instead. Littering and illegal dumping are punishable offences under local bylaws, with violators facing fines.

While the bins are monitored and emptied regularly by town staff, misuse strains resources, and undermines efforts to protect the environment and public health, officials say.

“They are not for household garbage or the bag of road-trip, camping trip, fishing trip garbage in the car or truck or boat,” said Beddows. “Putting household waste in a public garbage can is doing so at the expense of all the other taxpayers. Again, please use them as often as you need to for their intended purpose.”