Are there fines for sorting waste incorrectly?

Calgary has a unique policy on fines for improper waste sorting, characterized by an “educational first approach,” in which the city focuses on educating and informing residents rather than punitive measures. In over a decade of spot-checking bins, the City of Calgary has never issued a fine for improper waste sorting, even though such violations have been identified through spot checks and complaints from neighbors or waste collection workers. This policy is radically different from the approach of many other municipalities and reflects Calgary's focus on creating a culture of conscious waste management through education rather than enforcement.

Theoretical fines and existing legal framework

Legal basis for fines

According to the City of Calgary's Waste Bylaw (Bylaw 4M2020), fines for waste management violations range from $125 to $1,000 depending on the severity of the violation. The city law provides for the imposition of fines on owners or residents who violate the rules for container use, waste storage, or access to collection sites. The document clearly states that repeated violations of container contamination rules may result in enforcement action and fines.

Specifically for contamination (container contamination), the city's waste management bylaw provides for a $250 fine that can be imposed on those who misuse containers. This fine was established as a deterrent for the most serious violations that could pose a threat to worker safety or cause significant damage to the recycling system.

Categories of potential fines

• Improper use of containers: $125 to $500 for basic violations.

• Placing hazardous materials in recycling or composting containers: up to $1,000, especially for materials that pose a fire hazard or could harm workers.

• Illegal dumping:

• Household waste without permission — $250.

• Industrial waste without permission — $400.

• Hazardous waste from commercial activities at household hazardous waste collection sites — $1,000.

Real-world practice: an educational first approach

The city's philosophy on enforcement

Sharon Howland, program management director for the Waste and Recycling Department, has repeatedly emphasized that in 10 years of spot checks, the city has never once used fines. The city's approach is based on the principle of “education first,” as the goal is to teach Calgarians how to use containers properly so that workers at various facilities are not harmed, rather than punitive measures.

The city sees its role not as a “trash police” but as an educational institution that helps citizens understand the importance of proper sorting. Councilor Evan Woolley, who chairs the audit committee, has made it clear that the city is “not the trash police” and has no interest in becoming one.

Spot check program

The program has expanded significantly from 5,000 households in previous years to over 200,000 households in 2019, with plans to cover 45,000 addresses annually in subsequent years. The program involves employees (mainly senior students) checking blue and green containers for incorrect sorting of materials.

The inspection procedure includes a visual inspection of the contents of the containers using special sorting sticks without violating the privacy of residents. When contamination is found, an information tag is left on the container with an explanation of the mistake and instructions on how to sort correctly. If hazardous materials are found, the container may be left uncollected until the problem is resolved.

Gold recognition tags

The incentive system includes “gold tags” that are awarded to containers with perfect sorting—when all materials are sorted and prepared correctly. This positive recognition system emphasizes the city's educational approach and recognizes the efforts of citizens who go the extra mile to sort their waste correctly.

Financial impact of contamination on the city

Cost of contamination to taxpayers

Fines from third-party companies amount to nearly $1 million annually, which are imposed on the city by material sorting companies when they receive contaminated batches for recycling. These costs are passed on to all Calgarians through increased program fees on their ENMAX bills.

In 2024, fines for container contamination were expected to cost the city nearly $1 million. According to 2019 data, 4 percent of green bins for organic waste and 29 percent of blue bins for recycling were contaminated. When Tetra Tech revisited the offenders, contamination decreased by 17 percent.

Safety incidents and their cost

Fires at recycling facilities cost the city significant amounts of money due to the need to call the Calgary Fire Department, evacuate staff, and lost work time. Batteries that end up at a recycling facility can cause fires in 100,000 square feet of buildings, resulting in the evacuation of all staff.

Other safety incidents include situations where emergency medical services (EMS) and the Calgary Fire Department must be called to respond to emergencies caused by improperly disposed materials. Many of these incidents can be prevented by ensuring that items are disposed of properly.

Comparison with other jurisdictions

Provincial and federal penalties

Alberta has various penalties for environmental violations: simple littering is punishable by a $500 fine, while illegal handling or disposal of solid or special waste is punishable by a $1,000 fine. Environmental pollution fines can be significantly higher at the provincial level, as illustrated by the example of CST Canada Coal Limited, which was fined $9,000 for leaking coal waste into a river.

Commercial fines in Calgary

Calgary has stricter rules for businesses: companies that ignore recycling rules and throw recyclable materials in the trash must pay $170 per ton of materials found on their way to the landfill. This program was introduced in 2015 to make on-site recycling mandatory for businesses.

Upcoming changes in enforcement

Auditor recommendations

The city's 2019 auditor's report recommended considering fines for repeat offenders to prevent the most serious blue bin contamination. Although not part of the official recommendations, the report does suggest that the city consider fines as a deterrent.

The implementation of action plans was required to be completed by February 2021, including improved escalation procedures for the removal of household waste identified by the spot check program or collection services to protect the health and safety of workers.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program

The transition to EPR from April 2025 could change the dynamics of enforcement, as responsibility for recycling is transferred from municipalities to producers. This could result in a reduction in blue bin fees from $9.34 per month to $2.17 per month, saving each Calgarian over $86 per year.

Special cases and exceptions

Programs in wildlife areas

New rules for wildlife conflict areas were approved in 2023 after a black bear family was euthanized in 2022 due to repeated scavenging in the Discovery Ridge area. Fines for violating these rules will range from $250 to $1,000.

In designated “wildlife impact areas,” residents must set out their containers only on collection day between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. Violations of these rules may result in fines, as the city recognizes the need to protect both people and wildlife.

Programs for multi-family dwellings

Multi-family dwellings have slightly different rules and inspection procedures, but the overall philosophy of the education-first approach remains the same. Management companies are responsible for educating residents on proper sorting, but fines are rarely enforced in these cases.

Effectiveness of the educational approach

Improvement statistics

Data from spot check programs show that the educational approach is effective: when Tetra Tech revisited offending households, contamination levels decreased by 17 percent. This demonstrates that most Calgarians are willing to correct their mistakes once they receive the right information.

80% of the materials in the blue bins are actually sorted and recycled, with the remaining 20% being contamination from incorrect items. This shows that most residents are making the right choice when sorting their waste.

Long-term results

The 50% reduction in household waste since the introduction of blue and green bins demonstrates the long-term effectiveness of the educational approach. The blue bin program has helped Calgarians recycle over 930 million kilograms of materials since 2009.

Alternative consequences for offenders

Refusal to collect containers

Instead of fines, the city uses the practice of leaving contaminated containers uncollected until the problem is resolved. Containers may be turned sideways so that trucks cannot pick them up, signaling to the resident that they need to correct the mistake.

Letters and personal visits

Repeat offenders may receive letters in the mail or even a visit from a composting educator. These measures are designed to educate and assist residents in understanding proper sorting procedures.

Calgary demonstrates a unique waste management model that prioritizes education and cooperation with citizens over punitive measures. Despite the existence of a legal framework for imposing fines ranging from $125 to $1,000 for various waste management violations, the city has consistently adhered to an education-first approach for more than a decade. This strategy has proven effective through significant reductions in container contamination following educational interventions and high recycling rates, demonstrating the potential for achieving environmental goals through positive incentives and public education rather than penalties.