The Brampton city council has approved a new measure requiring retailers to pay $100 for every shopping cart found abandoned in public areas across the city. The rule was introduced during discussions around the 2026 municipal budget and aims to recover the costs associated with collecting carts left behind in parks, trails, and other public spaces.
City officials say abandoned carts have become a growing concern for residents and municipal workers. Carts are often discovered in places like the Etobicoke Creek Trail, transit stops, creeks, and neighbourhood parks. Once reported, city staff must locate, collect, and store the carts until the responsible retailer retrieves them, which adds to operational costs.
Councillor Rowena Santos said the new fee ensures taxpayers are not covering the cost of collecting property that belongs to retailers. According to the city, around 400 to 500 shopping carts are reported abandoned in Brampton each year, though some reports may involve the same cart being reported multiple times.
Many complaints come from residents living near busy retail areas, particularly around Mississauga Road, Williams Parkway, and Bovaird Drive. Residents have raised concerns about the carts creating safety hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and wildlife in nearby natural spaces.
Some stores, including locations operated by Walmart, already use coin-lock or wheel-lock technology to prevent carts from leaving store property. However, city officials say these systems are not always used consistently.
The city will charge the $100 fee when staff can clearly identify which retailer owns the cart. Brampton council is also expected to review additional measures later this year, including requiring stores to install cart-locking or geo-fencing systems to keep carts within store property.
(Source: CTV News)
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