Downtown Sydney

Report Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping happens when someone leaves garbage, construction debris, furniture, tires or other waste materials in an area that is not an approved disposal site, such as woods, roadsides, vacant lots or along shorelines. Dumping harms the environment, creates safety risks and costs taxpayers money to clean up. 

CBRM Solid Waste partners with the Cape Breton Regional Police Service to work to reduce illegal dumping, clean up and educate residents about proper waste disposal options.

Illegal dumping is a crime in CBRM. If you witness someone dumping waste or discover a dumpsite, please report by:

When reporting, include as much detail as possible, such as the: 

  • Date you noticed or discovered the dumpsite. 
  • Location (community name, nearby landmarks, distance from a known point, and which side of the road). 
  • Type of materials or debris you see. 

These details help the Illegal Dumping Officer respond and investigate efficiently.

Once a dumpsite is reported and investigated, cleanup becomes a priority. 

  • Whenever possible, the officer requires the individual responsible to clean and remove the waste. 
  • If that’s not possible, other cleanup options are arranged. 
  • Before any debris is removed, the site is carefully searched for evidence to identify who is responsible.