The City of Calgary is stepping up its efforts to combat a growing tide of illegal dumping, a problem that has left city crews struggling to manage thousands of kilograms of discarded junk. In 2025 alone, the city received approximately 30,000 complaints about waste being abandoned in public and private spaces, from tossed toys and old couches to renovation debris and discarded appliances.
The issue is widespread, affecting every quadrant of the city. "It is happening across the city. It’s vacant lands, it’s alleys, it’s ditches, it’s commercial properties in their dumpsters, it’s behind people’s properties," says Sharon Howland, the city’s leader of program management in waste and recycling services. This persistent problem leaves a trail of unsightly and hazardous materials in its wake, diminishing the quality of life for residents.
Under city bylaws, illegal dumping is defined as leaving any form of waste on public or private property without permission. While the issue has troubled neighbourhoods for years, officials report it has become more severe recently, particularly in communities across the northeast. The influx of new residents, as detailed in guides for those moving to Calgary, can sometimes correspond with a rise in discarded items as people settle in or renovate.
A persistent and worsening issue
The consequences of illegal dumping extend far beyond aesthetics. Abandoned waste can attract pests, creating public health concerns similar to those that recently led to a local nightclub's closure. It also poses significant fire hazards and can make parks, alleys, and natural spaces feel unsafe for everyone. The financial burden on the municipality is substantial, redirecting city resources that could be used for other essential services.
Illegal dumping isn’t just unsightly; it creates real safety risks and pulls city crews away from other essential work. Every illegal dumping call means resources are redirected from services Calgarians rely on.
This diversion of funds and personnel has a direct impact on other municipal priorities. With crews constantly occupied with cleanup tasks, other services, from road maintenance to park upkeep, may suffer. The redirection of resources is a critical concern, especially as the city faces tough decisions on other public amenities, such as the potential closure of numerous playgrounds in the coming years due to budget constraints.
Enforcement proves difficult
While the city has the authority to issue fines up to $10,000 for illegal dumping, enforcement remains a significant challenge. Last year, despite the tens of thousands of complaints, the city issued only 165 tickets for dumping on public property and three fines related to household items. This disparity highlights the difficulty in catching perpetrators in the act.
Sgt. Kamaljeet Fischer of the city's community safety department emphasizes the need for public assistance but also urges caution. "When people are reporting, we encourage them to be safe, first of all," Fischer says. "And then if there’s a vehicle involved, if you know who did it, that would be really helpful to provide a description or the vehicle plate number." Without such evidence, holding offenders accountable is nearly impossible, a challenge faced by municipalities across the country, as seen in cases of scams and illegal activities elsewhere in Canada, like a recent Brampton man charged in Toronto senior home-repair scam.
Southeast communities particularly affected
The problem is particularly acute in several southeast communities. Ward 9 Coun. Harrison Clark, who represents areas including Forest Lawn, Penbrooke Meadows, Southview, and Ogden, says illegal dumping has been a consistent complaint he has heard from residents since taking office. The issue is not new, but its recent escalation is causing significant frustration.
Residents of the Trevella Townhomes complex in Forest Lawn, for example, have reported instances of moving trucks arriving in the middle of the night to dump refuse and debris in their shared alley. The area is poorly lit, and while CCTV cameras have been installed, they have done little to deter the culprits. Neighbours who have attempted to intervene have sometimes been met with aggressive responses, prompting police involvement.
Ironically, the complex is located just a 10-minute drive from the East Calgary Landfill and Eco Centre, where waste can be disposed of legally and safely. Yet, offenders continue to use the private property as their personal landfill, creating a hazardous and frustrating environment for the people who live there.
City promotes free cleanup events as alternative
In response to the escalating problem, the City of Calgary is heavily promoting its free Community Cleanup events as a convenient and legal alternative for residents to dispose of unwanted items. These events run from April 25 through to the end of September, taking place in various neighbourhoods across the city.
The program is designed to make it easy for Calgarians to get rid of junk that standard waste collection services may not accept. The city is urging residents to take advantage of this service rather than resorting to illegal dumping. By providing a free and accessible option, officials hope to see a significant reduction in the aount of waste abandoned in public spaces.
Details about event dates, locations, and what materials are accepted can be found on the city’s official website at calgary.ca/cleanups. With the first events beginning this week, the city is hopeful that Calgarians will choose to do the right thing and help keep their communities clean and safe.
