Ottawa sees spike in illegal dumping complaints since launch of 3-item garbage limit

The large pile of discarded items along Old Innes Road includes black trash bags filled with food waste, tires, broken furniture, oil containers and industrial materials such as asphalt. Ottawa, Ont. Nov. 7, 2024. (Tyler Fleming / CTV News).

There has been a spike in illegal dumping complaints in the City of Ottawa since the implementation of the three-item garbage limit.

The Bylaw and Regulatory Services 2025 annual report shows Ottawa Bylaw Services received 2,089 service requests for illegal dumping last year, up 263 per cent from 2024.

“Which can be attributed to ongoing city-wide public education and the ongoing use by residents of the online reporting mechanism arising from Council approval and subsequent implementation of Solid Waste Service’s Curbside Diversion Policy, including the three-item limit, which took effect in Fall 2024,” staff said in the report.

Bylaw Services received 576 service requests for illegal dumping in September 2024, which was up 43 per cent over 2023.

Ottawa implemented a three-item garbage limit on household garbage in 2024 as part of a plan to extend the life of the Trail Road landfill.

Solid Waste Services funds two temporary officer positions at Bylaw Services to follow up on complaints about illegal dumping.

Bylaw Services issued a total of 10 charges and 133 notices of violation in relation to illegal dumping in Ottawa last year.

“It is important to note that these investigations often do not result in charges, as it is difficult to identify the defendant(s),” staff said.

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