Illegal Dumping Working Group and Communication Plan WMAC - PDF document

2013-03-26 Illegal Dumping Working Group and Communication Plan WMAC Presentation March 26, 2013 Overview • Background • Progress • Communication Plan • Next Steps 1

2013-03-26 Background • Illegal Dumping Working Group started meeting in October 2012. • Members include staff representatives of: • Area Municipalities • Niagara Region staff in the Waste Management, Transportation and Corporate Services Divisions • Working Group goals are to: • Increase awareness of illegal dumping in Niagara Region • Establish reporting tools to make it easier for the public to report • Ensure a consistent approach to dealing with illegal dumping • Work towards reducing the occurrences, associated costs and negative visual impact caused • Meetings to be held quarterly Progress • Established Terms of Reference • Identification of Hotspots • Template to track costs/offenders associated with illegal dumping activity • Shared site for sharing information pertinent to the group (minutes, agendas, references etc.) • Public Engagement Survey – to obtain Niagara Region residents opinions on illegal dumping activity • Illegal Dumping Campaign – tentatively rolled out in the summer of 2013 • On Line Reporting Tools for easy reporting of illegal dumping 2

2013-03-26 Progress continued • Anti-dumping signs proposed to be used in hotspots throughout Niagara region. Progress continued 3

2013-03-26 Communication Plan • Goal of the plan is to increase the number of residents reporting illegal dumping activities in the Region • Methods of communication may include: – On Line Reporting Tool – Social Media (Google, Facebook, Widget and local connect- through area Municipalities websites) – Regional/Local Communication (Region Website, Sherpa, Green Scene, Daily Apple etc.) – Local Print and Radio advertisements notifying of the Campaign (these will be limited for budgetary reasons) – Development of pamphlets titled “Your R esponsibilities” and “Help Prevent..” to be handed out for quick reference Next Steps • Staff recommending to WMPSC the following: • Area Municipalities adjust their current respective fine amounts for illegal dumping to $500. • Region and Area Municipalities include funding in their 2014 budget towards a reward system for reporting illegal dumping. • Proposed anti-dumping signs be approved. • Region and Area Municipalities utilize consistent anti-dumping signage in hotspots region wide. • Niagara Region be authorized to manage calls in respect to the Illegal Dumping at one number using the Waste Info Line at 905-356-4141 or 1-800-594-5542. • A reward system be developed and implemented. • Area Municipalities promote the Illegal Dumping campaign through their respective websites. • The report be circulated to area Municipalities for consideration by respective Councils. • WMAC invited to provide comments to Cheryl Crawley on communication pieces by March 28 4

2013-03-26 Questions? 5