The City of Hamilton will put the Clean & Green Hamilton Strategy into action through a number of clean and green programs and initiatives to address the focus areas of litter, illegal dumping, graffiti, beautification and environmental stewardship.
The success of the Clean & Green Hamilton Strategy and its component programs and initiatives relies on evidence-based research and data, broad consultation, stakeholder and volunteer engagement, funding and staff resources, using community-based social marketing principles. The Plan and its component programs focus on encouraging desirable behaviour within the context of education and consultation; operations and engineering; and, monitoring and enforcement.
Focus Area - Litter
Litter Prevention
Litter prevention programs will be managed by Public Works staff through the guidance of, and in collaboration with, the Clean City Liaison Committee. Programs may include design and engineering considerations, stakeholder education, citizen engagement and enforcement practices. The goals of litter prevention programs are to encourage appropriate waste disposal behaviour and reduce costs to the tax supported budgets.
Litter Containment
Litter containment on municipal properties will be managed by City staff through the provision of appropriate waste containers and processes and directed through service levels and budget parameters as approved annually by Council.
Litter containment on private properties will be managed by the respective property owners in accordance with applicable By-laws and regulations.
The goal of litter containment programs is to achieve litter-free properties which encourage proper litter disposal behaviour; and to provide opportunities for good environmental stewardship practices through municipal waste diversion programs.
Litter Remediation
Litter remediation on municipal properties is managed by City staff through property and facility cleanliness protocols, processes and services and directed through service levels approved annually by Council. Litter remediation can be achieved through the deployment of City staff or in partnership with citizen volunteers through City-managed volunteer engagement programs.
Litter remediation on private properties will be managed by the respective property owners in accordance with the Clean & Green Hamilton Strategy goals and vision and applicable By-laws and regulations.
The goal of litter remediation programs is to restore properties to a litter-free environment which encourages proper litter disposal behaviour.
Focus Area - Illegal Dumping
Illegal Dumping Prevention
Illegal dumping prevention programs for municipal properties will be managed by Public Works staff in collaboration with Municipal Law Enforcement and the Clean City Liaison Committee. Programs for municipal properties will be provided within service levels and budget parameters as approved annually by Council.
Illegal dumping prevention programs for private properties will be managed by Municipal Law Enforcement staff in collaboration with Public Works staff, law enforcement agencies and the Clean City Liaison Committee.
Programs may include design and engineering considerations, stakeholder education and enforcement practices. The goals of illegal dumping prevention programs are to encourage appropriate waste disposal behaviour and reduce remediation costs to the tax supported budgets.
Illegal Dumping Remediation
Dumping remediation on municipal properties is managed by Public Works staff within departmental budgetary parameters as approved annually by Council. Illegal dumping remediation can be achieved through the deployment of City staff or in partnership with citizen volunteers through City-managed volunteer engagement programs.
Dumping remediation on private properties will be managed by the respective property owners in accordance with the Clean & Green Hamilton Strategy goals and vision and applicable By-laws and regulations.
The goal of illegal dumping remediation programs is to restore properties to a litter-free environment which encourages proper waste disposal behaviour.
Focus Area - Graffiti
Graffiti Prevention
Graffiti prevention programs for municipal properties will be managed by Public Works staff in collaboration with appropriate stakeholder departments and Hamilton Police Service. Graffiti prevention programs for municipal and private properties will be aligned with the City’s graffiti management strategy.
Program tools may include public art initiatives, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), design and engineering considerations, stakeholder education and enforcement.
The goal of graffiti prevention programs for municipal properties is to encourage appropriate activity on municipal properties and reduce remediation costs to the tax supported budgets.
The goal of graffiti prevention programs for private properties is to encourage appropriate legal behaviour on private property.
Graffiti Remediation
Graffiti remediation on municipal properties is managed by City staff through property and facility cleanliness protocols, processes and services and directed through maintenance service levels approved annually by Council.
Graffiti remediation on private properties will be managed by the respective property owners in accordance with the Clean & Green Hamilton Strategy goals and vision and applicable By-laws and regulations.
Graffiti remediation can be achieved through the deployment of City staff, an approved contractor or in partnership with citizen volunteers through City-managed volunteer engagement programs. The goal of graffiti remediation programs is to restore properties to a graffiti-free state through rapid removal which can discourage the proliferation of graffiti.
Focus Area - Beautification
Beautification programs
Beautification programs for municipal properties will be managed by Public Works staff in collaboration with the Tourism and Culture division of Planning and Economic Development and in accordance with the Clean & Green Hamilton Strategy goals and vision.
Beautification programs for private properties will be coordinated by the Clean City Liaison Committee or through existing horticultural societies or program groups such as the Trillium Awards committee.
Plant and tree stock and services will be provided by the Public Works Department for municipal properties within established service levels approved annually by Council. Public art initiatives will be managed by the Culture section.
Municipal beautification programs will enhance streetscapes, parks, facilities and other municipal properties. Beautification activities can be achieved through the deployment of City staff or in partnership with citizen volunteers through City-managed volunteer engagement programs. Municipal beautification programs can be supported through sponsorships or partnerships with the private sector or community organizations.
The goals of beautification programs for municipal properties are to enhance the aesthetics and ecological integrity of the City, enhance population health and wellness, and help offset beautification costs to the tax supported budgets.
Programs will be managed in accordance with the Clean & Green Hamilton Strategy goals and vision and with relevant funding programs, By-laws and regulations. Beautification programs on private properties will enhance property, buildings and structures with the goals of enhancing the aesthetics and ecological integrity of the neighbourhood and enhance neighbourhood health, wellness and prosperity.
Focus Area - Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Stewardship – Municipal Properties
Environmental stewardship programs for municipal properties will be managed by Public Works staff in accordance with the Clean & Green Hamilton Strategy goals and vision and Vision 2020’s principle of maintenance of ecological integrity.
Program elements may include policies and protocols to: increase the urban forest canopy; enhance habitat and protect native plant, animal and fish species; manage invasive plant, animal and fish species; and enhance and protect ecosystems on municipal property. Environmental stewardship activities can be achieved through the deployment of City staff or in partnership with citizen volunteers through City-managed volunteer engagement programs. Municipal environmental stewardship programs can be supported through sponsorships or partnerships with private sector or community organizations.
The goals of environmental stewardship programs for municipal properties are to encourage ecological integrity and minimize human impact on natural habitats and ecosystems on municipal properties.
Environmental Stewardship – Private Properties
Environmental stewardship programs for private properties will be managed by the respective property owners – such as conservation authorities, commercial, or private property owners – or through recognized local environmental interest groups such as Environment Hamilton, Green Venture or Hamilton Industrial Environmental Association (HIEA) in accordance with the Clean & Green Hamilton Strategy vision and Vision 2020’s principle of maintenance of ecological integrity.
Program elements may include initiatives for the habitat enhancement and protection of native plant, animal and fish species (natural heritage); the management of invasive plant, animal and fish species; and enhancement and protection of ecosystems on private property. Environmental stewardship activities on commercial, industrial and institutional properties can be achieved through corporate social responsibility programs and through the engagement of employees and volunteers.
The goals of environmental stewardship programs for private properties are to encourage ecological integrity and minimize human impact on natural habitats and ecosystems on private properties.
* * *
The City of Hamilton’s Clean City Liaison Committee will assist with the coordination of City and community clean and green plans to help promote collaboration, community engagement and effective use of limited resources.
* * *
For more information on the City of Hamilton's Clean & Green initiatives, explore the following links: