Essex mayor urges residents to stop misusing public garbage cans

CTV News

3 days ago

Sherry Bondy with a public garbage can seen in Essex, Ont. on July 16, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
The mayor of Essex is calling out a growing number of residents who are stuffing household garbage into public bins intended for light litter.
In a Facebook post earlier this week, Mayor Sherry Bondy expressed concern about people using uptown municipal garbage cans to dispose of full bags of household waste, refuse, even a glass picture frame.
'People are literally putting bags of their home garbage beside our municipal pails,' Bondy said in an interview.
'One or two of those bags and the bins are full. Then we have to pay staff to come out and empty them.'
Essex garbage cans
Misuse of garbage cans seen in Essex, Ont. on July 16, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
Bondy said while the receptacles are provided for convenience while walking, for items like coffee cups, dog waste and gum wrappers, they are increasingly being misused.
'When you see it once or twice, you think maybe someone's moving,' she said.
'But when it's on a regular basis, it seems to be a habit for some people.'
She said the town has an excellent garbage collection system, including curbside pickup with no bag or size limits and access to local waste depots.
'We take basically everything. Whether you live in an apartment or a house, I encourage you to use your home garbage option,' Bondy said.
'This is one way we can save money — by not putting all of our home garbage in our town garbage pails.'
Essex garbage cans
Sherry Bondy with a public garbage can seen in Essex, Ont. on July 16, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
Residents and visitors have also taken notice of the misuse.
'I see it all the time — people pull up in their cars with a couple of bags and drop them in,' said Rick Tramutola, who was in Essex on Wednesday.
'I've even seen people dump fish scraps. It's gross.'
Tramutola said he believes a fine might be necessary.
'Nothing too big, but something to say, 'Do it properly — we've got the facilities.''
Bondy said the town hasn't yet discussed implementing fines but isn't ruling it out.
'It's something we're monitoring,' she said.
'Everything costs money — from buying more bins to paying staff to empty them more than once a week. It all factors in at budget time.'
Essex garbage cans
Misuse of garbage cans seen in Essex, Ont. on July 16, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
For some residents, the misuse is baffling.
'It's too bad,' said Gayle Mitchell.
'We have garbage pickup right at our house. And if you live in an apartment building, they always have a bin. There's no need to put it on Main Street.'
Lucille Lewis, who was shopping in Essex, said people have other options.
'There are a lot of places you can call for recycling or disposal. I don't think that should be done.'
Paul Robertson agreed.
'There's no need for it,' he said.
'You can put everything out to the road, they'll take it.'
Bondy said the goal is to keep Essex clean and avoid overflowing bins that send trash blowing down the streets.
'We want our town to look clean,' she said.
'This is one way we can work together.'