The impact of litter on city wildlife

​By Ivan Chen

Litter has wide-ranging effects on city wildlife. (Credit: Surprising_Media/Pixabay)

Litter is a pervasive feature of many large cities. In Toronto, some of the most common forms of litter on the city’s streets include cigarette butts, paper towels and napkins, gum and plastic packaging. 

Across Canada between 2012 and 2020, the amount of plastic that entered the environment as litter was equivalent to more than 15 billion plastic bottles. Although litter may blend in with urban landscapes for humans, it can be a significant problem for city wildlife.

Litter can be misleading, especially if it’s colourful or has the scent of food. Animals may mistake it for food, and once it’s consumed, it can lead to many problems. Ingestion of plastic and other inedible objects can lead to complications like choking, organ or cell damage, internal blockages and death. 

Wildlife can also get trapped and entangled in plastics. Raccoons can often get stuck in plastic items like containers or ring beverage holders, which can lead to suffocation, dehydration, starvation and eventual death. Birds can also get entangled in waste, which can hinder their ability to fly.

Wildlife may adapt to these polluted urban environments, but it often comes at a cost. For instance, birds have been observed incorporating plastic debris into their nests. In Toronto’s Tommy Thompson Park, the nests of double-crested cormorants were found to contain waste items such as soft plastics, metal, electrical wiring, packaging materials and straws. Some double-crested cormorant colonies in Lake Ontario and Lake Erie were also observed with concerning levels of debris ingestion. 

It’s important to note that Tommy Thompson Park was once the site of a former dumping ground for construction waste, but this example still highlights how wildlife must navigate increasingly polluted environments.

While litter may seem largely like a problem on land, it also travels through Toronto’s waterways. University of Toronto researchers found that the city’s Don River carries microplastic pollution equivalent to the weight of 18 cars into Lake Ontario annually.

Microplastics originating from broken-down single-use plastics, sewage, stormwater and road dust comprised most of the waste flowing through the river. Larger plastic items like grocery bags and wet wipes were prevalent as well.

Many mammals, aquatic life and insects that depend on these water bodies may be directly exposed to this waste, which can disrupt their feeding, growth and survival.

Steps to reduce litter

Despite the harm that is posed by litter, there are actionable steps we can take to reduce it.

1. Choose reusable options

Reducing dependence on single-use items can have a great impact on minimizing litter. Single-use items like cups, containers and bags are frequently littered items. Using your own reusable bottle, bag and containers is more sustainable and generates less waste.

2. Properly discard waste

Sometimes, waste is inevitably created. When this happens, dispose of it properly in the appropriate bins. Make sure garbage and compost bins are secured to prevent animals from scattering waste. When recycling, remember to rinse items first.

Cigarette butts are one of the most littered items in Toronto. They may appear insignificant, but they contain plastic filters and toxic chemicals. Toronto street waste bins have a receptacle designated for cigarette butt disposal. If a cigarette butt receptacle is not available, make sure the cigarette is completely extinguished and cooled before disposing of it in the garbage.

3. Get involved

If you have the time and resources, like gloves and a reach extender, consider spending a day picking up litter in your community. One piece of trash removed from the street could prevent unnecessary harm to wildlife and the environment. You can also bring some friends or family to make your cleanup a fun, shared activity.

The city also has the Clean Toronto Together campaign. Held every spring, it draws in thousands of residents to take part in self-directed litter cleanups throughout public spaces. 

Volunteering with groups that organize cleanups, like Don’t Mess with the Don and A Greener Future, as well as with neighbourhood associations/business improvement areas, is a great way to engage with community members and clean up the place you all call home.

The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association Waste Reduction Group hosts an annual litter cleanup — stay tuned for updates on their website or Instagram page.

Summary

Toronto’s wildlife lives alongside us — not apart from us. Whether it’s a pigeon in downtown or a raccoon roaming around your backyard, reducing litter helps keep our city clean while protecting the wildlife that calls it home.

​Edited by Jess Blackwell