Niagara Region | Summer 2026 | niagararegion.ca

Summer 2026 Issue

Don't Let Your Summer Stink: Easy Ways to Keep Your Green Bin Fresh

Summer is a great time to enjoy backyard barbecues, fresh fruits and vegetables, and outdoor gatherings. However, warmer temperatures can also lead to stronger odours and unwanted pests around your Green Bin.

The good news is that a few simple habits can help keep your Green Bin fresh and pest-free all summer long:

1. Freeze Food Scraps Until Collection Day

Items such as meat, fish, seafood and dairy products can produce strong odours as they break down in the heat. Store these scraps in a container or compostable bag in your freezer and place them in your Green Bin close to your collection day.

2. Keep Your Bin in the Shade

Direct sunlight speeds up decomposition and can intensify odours. Whenever possible, store your Green Bin in a shaded area, such as beside your home, in a garage or under a covered space.

3. Line Your Green Bin

Use paper liners, newspapers, flyers or a paper bag to soak up moisture and keep your Green Bin clean. A sprinkle of baking soda at the bottom of your Green Bin can also help absorb moisture and minimize odours.

4. Keep the Lid Closed

A tightly closed lid helps contain smells and prevents flies, raccoons and other animals or pests from accessing food waste. If your Green Bin is cracked or broken, you can get a free replacement at one of our 13 distribution sites across the Niagara region. Visit niagararegion.ca/waste to find a location near you.

5. Rinse Your Bin Regularly

A quick rinse with water every few weeks can help prevent residue buildup. For a deeper clean, use mild soap and water and allow the bin to dry before using it again.

Small Actions, Big Impact

Using your Green Bin does more than keep food waste out of the garbage. It helps divert organic material from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and supports a cleaner, more sustainable Niagara.

With these few simple tricks, you can keep your Green Bin fresh, reduce unwanted pests, and continue making a positive impact in our community and for the environment.

Innovative Repair at Niagara Falls Water Treatment Plant Earns Provincial Award

A groundbreaking new technique used to repair aging water infrastructure has earned Niagara Region praise from the Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA).

The Niagara Falls Water Treatment Plant Reservoir Inlet and Outlet Pipe Emergency Repair was selected as the winner for the OPWA’s annual award for Disaster or Emergency Construction/Repair.

Additionally, this team was presented with a Corporate Employee Recognition Award for Innovation and Sustainability for this work.  

When a major water main leak occurred at the Niagara Falls Water Treatment Plant reservoir in December 2025, staff used high-strength materials to essentially build a pipe within the existing pipe. Recognized for using a unique, less-invasive method to repair the leak, two aging connections between the underground drinking water storage reservoir and the plant were fixed by staff without having to dig up the pipe.

The technique not only kept water flowing during the repair, but by avoiding major digging, staff reduced costs, saved time and prevented significant disruption to nearby residents, traffic and the surrounding environment. Throughout the project, staff were able to continue providing safe and reliable drinking water to the community.

The new repair technique is just one example of how Regional staff are using cutting-edge technology to keep Niagara’s aging water and wastewater infrastructure operating, ensuring that 160 million litres of clean, drinkable water flow every day.

Niagara Region Adopt-a-Road Program Volunteers are Making a Difference in the Community

The 2026 Adopt-a-Road season is off to a fantastic start.

We’d like to say a huge thanks to our Roads Operations staff-the ones who work behind the scenes to keep the program running smoothly, from stocking supply bins and providing community groups with safety equipment to coordinating timely litter collection following cleanups; and especially to our community partners who are out there picking up litter and debris along our Regional roads. The ongoing collaborative efforts of both of these groups are essential to the success of this program. 

This year, we’re proud to be working alongside more than 20 community organizations.  Together, these dedicated volunteers have already removed 165 bags of litter and debris from Regional roads in 2026, helping to create cleaner, safer, and more welcoming roadways for everyone.

We’re also pleased to recognize two organizations that have completed their first full year in the Adopt-a-Road program, including at least two successful cleanups. In recognition of their commitment, each group has earned personalized Adopt-a-Road signs featuring their name and logo:

NOTL Rotary Club – Regional Road 86 (Lakeshore Road), between Shakespeare Avenue and Niven Road
Reunion Lodge #103 – Regional Road 38 (Martindale Road), between Lakeshore Road and Vansickle Road

Their signs are currently being produced in our sign shop and will soon be installed by our sign installation crew at the boundaries of their adopted road sections.

The Adopt-a-Road program continues to be much more than a litter cleanup initiative. It strengthens partnerships, encourages community pride, and demonstrates what can be accomplished when residents and Niagara Region work together toward a common goal.

A sincere thank you to our Transportation Services staff and all of our Adopt-a-Road volunteers.  Working together, we make a difference. 

If your community group is interested in participating in the program please visit Adopt-a-Road Program - Niagara Region, Ontario

Niagara Region Wins Provincial Award for Trash–or–Treat Event

Niagara Region Waste Management Services won the Gold Award from the Municipal Waste Association (MWA) for the Promotion and Education of Special Events. Trash–or–Treat, held at Niagara Region’s Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site last October, was recognized for its excellence in the use of public space and interactive design. More than 100 residents attended the Halloween-themed event, which combined interactive waste reduction activities, waste sorting games, educational displays and family-friendly programming to promote waste diversion in a fun and engaging way.

We invite the public to stay tuned for the second annual Trash–or–Treat event, planned to take place at the same location in October 2026! Thank you to everyone who made this event a big success!