Opinion Poll

1. In places like the US, Australia, Singapore, the UK and Europe, the topic of littering receives a great deal more attention than it does here. Canada produces more garbage than any other country in the world. Ontario roadside litter is very much in evidence. Do you agree that Ontario has a litter problem? *

Agree Disagree Undecided

2. Litter control has not been reviewed in Ontario since 1977 under former Conservative Premier Bill Davis. In November 2012, two environmentalists sought a review of littering in Ontario through the Environmental Bill of Rights. Denied by the Ministry of Environment in January 2013, under the EBR, no similar request will be entertained for a period of five years. Would you support a review of Ontario’s littering laws and protocols? *

Yes No Not sure

3. Cigarette filters are the most prolific and toxic of all litter types, prompting worldwide concern. In Ontario, cities like Toronto and Ottawa are looking to the province for help in dealing with this difficult form of non-biodegradable hazardous waste. Smoke-free laws have made the cigarette litter problem even worse as smokers are pushed outdoors and further to the margins. Would you support a tax increase on cigarettes with funds dedicated to municipal tobacco litter clean up and abatement programs? *

Yes No

4. Chewing gum is the second most littered item in the world. It is enormously difficult to clean and is a common blight. This edible plastic does not biodegrade and is costly to remove from hard surfaces. In the UK, there is a Gum Litter Task Force. Would you support a tax increase on chewing gum with funds dedicated to municipal chewing gum litter clean up and abatement programs? *

Yes No

5. Waste Diversion Ontario is currently considering a plan from the industry-funded Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association that proposes a $40 million annual investment by industry in bins and public education across the province and replicates the successful Recycle Everywhere program that CBCRA launched in Manitoba in 2011. Involving a container recycling fee of two cents at point of sale, Manitoba’s diversion rates have risen dramatically from 42 to 61 percent in three years and beverage container and other litter is down, data from that province shows. In principle, do you support CBCRA’s industry-funded model, such as it operates in Manitoba, to increase the diversion rates for beverage containers, reduce litter by making recycling opportunities readily available away from home and continuously educate the public about recycling and littering? *

Yes No Not sure

6. Illinois and Louisiana have passed statewide anti-cigarette littering legislation this year. Ontario does not have specific tobacco litter legislation. Do you support updating Ontario’s litter legislation and including cigarette butts as a defined litter type under the Act? *

Yes No

7. Littering contributes to a host of community and societal problems. A solid public education campaign is long overdue. The State of Florida just launched a multi-year partnership effort, the Roadside Litter Education Program: “Drive It Home.” Would you support an Ontario-wide litter prevention and awareness campaign? *

Yes No

8. Littering is a costly anti-social behaviour that is a marked sign of disrespect for public space and our shared sense of community. If you saw a member of your staff litter (leave a coffee cup behind, drop a cigarette butt or a piece of chewed gum) would you tell the staff member to correct his or her action? *

Yes No Not sure

9. Many people find it difficult to talk to someone whom they have witnessed littering. We know that peer pressure is one of the most effective deterrents for littering. Have you ever told a stranger not to litter? *

Yes No

10. Large Industrial, Commercial and Institutional entities routinely ignore a little-known environmental regulation in Ontario law dating back to 1994 requiring them to publicly communicate progress on their recycling efforts at least once a year to build awareness and capture more materials through diversion. Ministry of Environment Regulation 103/94 2.1.3 places a legal obligation on producers to educate. Do you believe efforts should be made to enforce this reporting requirement in the large ICI sector? *

Yes No Not sure

First-ever survey launched looking for political action on littering