The City of Calgary is warning residents about illegal dumping, as community cleanup events are now underway, pointing to safety risks, impacts on neighbourhoods and fines of up to $10,000 under city bylaws.
Illegal dumping includes leaving furniture, appliances, garbage, renovation materials or other waste on public or private property without permission.
“Illegal dumping isn’t just unsightly. It creates real safety risks and pulls City crews away from other essential work,” said Damian Cole, Deputy Chief of Community Safety with The City of Calgary. “Every illegal dumping call means resources are redirected from services Calgarians rely on.”
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The City said dumped waste can attract pests, create fire hazards and make parks, alleys and open spaces feel unsafe. It said the issue has become more severe in recent years, particularly in northeast communities.
Rocky View County, Airdrie and Crossfield have each previously raised concerns related to illegal dumping.
In Rocky View County, for example, officials said in a September 2025 social media post that “every time someone leaves a mattress in the ditch or drops off bags of garbage in a field, it becomes the County’s responsibility — if it’s on public land.”
The County said cleanup costs in a typical year “hover around $300,000,” with hazardous waste cases reaching “$50,000 or more per year.” It said taxpayer dollars go toward cleanup instead of other services.
In Airdrie, the City’s Waste Management Bylaw prohibits people from storing, depositing or disposing of listed waste materials on highways or other lands owned or controlled by the City, except as authorized, and also prohibits those materials from being disposed of or allowed to accumulate on land within the city.
Schedule A of the bylaw lists $400 specified penalties for some waste-disposal offences, including placing listed materials outside a collection point or storing, depositing or disposing of listed materials on City-controlled highways or lands without authorization.
Other offences not listed in Schedule A can carry fines of at least $1,000 and not more than $10,000 on summary conviction.
In Crossfield, the Town said it cleaned up two instances of illegal dumping in the weeks leading up to Nov. 21, 2025, and said improper disposal can pose environmental risks and may result in fines or prosecution under its Waste and Recycling Bylaw.
Calgary said residents have several legal options to dispose of waste, including regular cart collection, City Eco Centres and private junk removal services.
The City’s Community Cleanup events are running from April 25 through September, providing a no-cost option for oversized household items.
Officials are encouraging residents to report illegal dumping. In Calgary, incidents can be reported through 311 by phone, app or online. Details such as location, photos and licence plate numbers can help support investigations and cleanup.
“Proper disposal shows respect for your neighbours, your community and the shared spaces we all rely on,” Cole said. “Using the right disposal option helps keep neighbourhoods safe, clean and accessible for everyone.”
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