Conservation & Waste Reduction

Toilet Retrofit Program

In the past, residents of Niagara Falls were offered an incentive/rebate toward the purchase of high efficiency toilets. Please check the Toilet Retrofit page periodically to get current information about this program.

Plastic bottles, straws and stir sticks

“We led the way as one of the first municipalities in Canada to establish a single-use plastic bottle ban and this is one more step to level-up our environmental responsibility!  Thank you to our committed volunteer committees, the Mayor’s Youth Advisory and The Environmental Action Committee for looking ahead and leading us in the right direction!”
       - Jim Diodati, Mayor

• We have not sold plastic beverage bottles at city-owned buildings, recreation centers, parks, and other facilities since May 1, 2009.
• We have eliminated the use of plastic straws and stir sticks in all city-owned facilities since 2019.

Blue Communities

On April 24th, 2012, Council motioned for the City of Niagara Falls to become a “Blue Community”.  Robyn Hamlyn, a 13 year old from Kingston addressed Council on the topic.  A “blue community” is one that adopts a water commons framework by taking three actions.  A water commons framework treats water as belonging to no one, and the responsibility of all. Because water is central to human activity, it must be governed by principles that allow for reasonable use, equal distribution and responsible treatment in order to preserve water for nature and future generations.

The Blue Communities Project calls on communities to adopt a water commons framework by:

• Recognizing water as a human right.
• Promoting publicly financed, owned and operated water and waste water services.
• Banning the sale of bottled water in public facilities and at municipal events.

Weeping-tile Removal Assistance Program

The City of Niagara Falls is committed to the implementation of a Weeping-tile Removal Assistance Program (WRAP). The purpose of the WRAP program is to disconnect weeping-tile from the sanitary sewer. Visit the WRAP page for information about the program.

Earth Hour/Day/Week

Residents are inspired to be more environmentally conscience, and take action to reduce the environmental footprint of their school or workplace. The purpose of Earth Week is to teach people simple strategies to conserve energy and participate in environmental conservation and demonstrate how easy it is to conserve energy without causing any inconveniences. The City of Niagara Falls encourages residents to participate in activities that create a healthier environment, setting an example for the next generation. View the Earth Hour/Day/Week information.

Bee City Designation

In 2018, the City of Niagara Falls became the 13th city in Canada to be designated a bee city.  Recent efforts of have been made by City staff and the Environmental Action Committee to warrant such a designation.  Acres of pollinator gardens have been installed at Firemen's Park and Fairview Cemetery through partnerships and grant opportunities.  The committee led another pollinator garden installation at Patrick Cumming Park in 2019.  An extension to the existing pollinator garden at Firemen's Park was part of the Mother Earth Day event in 2021.  Additional gardens were planned in partnership with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) in 2020 near the Drummond Hill Cemetery. These native wild flower gardens will attract pollinators that are crucial to our existing food network.