City Government

Business Owners Reminded to Clean Up Cigarette Litter

October 16, 2008

Municipal Enforcement Officers are visiting business owners in business zones along Whyte and Jasper Avenue, Stony Plain Road, Alberta Avenue, 124 Street and around the city to remind them of city bylaws that prohibit litter on boulevards and in public places. On the weekend, officers will begin ticketing business owners who do not properly clean up cigarette butts left by patrons on sidewalks abutting their property. The fine for non-compliance is $250.

“Edmonton’s community standards bylaw requires property owners to maintain their properties and clean litter from the adjacent public sidewalks and boulevards,” said John Wilson, Acting Director for the City’s Complaints and Investigations section. “We expect business patrons and owners to dispose of cigarette butts in an appropriate manner and not have it thrown or blown onto public property.”

The measures are being taken in response to Council’s direction for more enforcement that supports city priorities to reduce litter, improve the environment and enhance Edmonton’s livability.

The campaign also supports Edmonton’s Capital City Clean Up program, which has identified cigarette litter as toxic and poisonous to birds, fish and other wildlife that ingest them. Chemicals such as arsenic and lead are released when cigarette filters get wet. City surveys have found that 35.7 per cent of small litter found on city streets is from cigarettes.

“Everyone has a role to play in keeping Edmonton’s streets and sidewalks clear of litter all year round,” said Don Belanger, Program Manager, Capital City Clean Up. “Cigarette litter is particularly harmful to the environment when it gets into our rivers and our wildlife.”

Edmonton’s new Community Standards Bylaw came into effect April 1, 2008. The bylaw updated the city’s standards for cleanliness and added a new requirement for property owners to also maintain areas adjacent to their property. The new bylaw combines Edmonton’s previous “good neighbour” bylaws into one concise bylaw and also contains new sections to manage graffiti and litter on boulevards.

Citizens can report illegal littering by calling 780-496-3100.

For more information:

John Wilson

Planning and Development

Title	Director of Complaints and Investigations, Community Standards Branch (litter enforcement campaign)
Telephone	780-496-5216