Some City Councillors want garbage trucks registered and licensed to reduce noise complaints.
Loud noise is in the top three complaints received by the City from residents.
Among the most noise complaints received are from all-night garbage trucks and the banging around of garbage cans.
One councillor is seeking that all garbage trucks be registered and licensed so the noise from trucks can be monitored and acted upon by a Noise Reduction Team.
The individual trucks can have their licenses revoked if there are a number of noise complaints filed against them by residents.
Council was told that all night garbage trucks are among the top three complaints received by the City.
“Licensed garbage trucks can help to reduce the noise that now exists,” according to Ward 11 Councillor Dianne Saxe, who represents University-Rosedale. “There are many complaints by residents from the all-night garbage trucks.”
Councillor Ausma Malik, of Ward 10, Spadina Fort York, said there has to be more enforcement of garbage truck noise.
“It is one of the most complaints we get,” she said. “Noise is among the top three complaints that the City receives.”
The debate led to Council approval of a review of the noise by-law, in regards to the Night Economy Program to take affect and loud vehicles.
The banging of cans spark complaints from garbage trucks across the City.
Residents are urged to phone 311 to complain about loud motorcycles and vehicles so the complaints can be recorded.
Councillors heard that Ward 3 Etobicoke Lakeshore is one of the areas in the City with the loudest vehicles and more enforcement measures are required.
Councillor Mike Colle said people work different shifts in Toronto and there will always be some noise.
“We don’t want to live in a sterile city with no noise,” Colle said.
The noise issue is being reviewed by City Council.