People Against Littering (P.A.L.)

Brampton deserves better. Litter is not just an eyesore. It sends a message that no one cares. We refuse to accept that.

People Against Littering (P.A.L.) is a non-profit driven by action-oriented volunteers who believe kindness should be visible and that a better city starts with us. Our goal is to turn compassion into action and inspire residents to lead by example, take pride in their city, and prove that small acts can create extraordinary change. Our mission is to inspire Canadians in cities across this country by showing what is possible when ordinary neighbours in one city choose action over apathy. Our goal is to make Brampton litter-free and set a new national standard for cleanliness, safety, beauty, and kindness. Not in theory, but on real streets, in real neighbourhoods, and in the parks where our children play.

We aim to mobilize thousands of residents to say enough is enough and demonstrate that when neighbours take responsibility, transformation follows. This is bigger than picking up trash. It is about making care for our cities the new normal across Canada.

Imagine a future where visitors from around the world come to Brampton not just for its vibrant culture and hospitality but also to witness firsthand the remarkable transformation of a city united by kindness. They’ll walk our streets, marvelling at their cleanliness, and visit our parks, inspired by their pristine beauty. They’ll hear stories of how a community, once grappling with a litter problem, came together to create a model of urban sustainability. They’ll witness firsthand the power of collective action fueled by kindness and compassion. Bramptonians and the City of Brampton will become beacons of hope, demonstrating to the world that change is possible, that even the most daunting challenges can be overcome when we embrace the values of kindness and responsibility.

Join the movement. Pick up five pieces of litter. Bring a friend. Show your pride. Be a P.A.L.

Our Founder – Bill Godfrey

Bill Godfrey has called Brampton home for 46 years. At 78, he likes climbing rock faces, paddling into the backcountry, and he refuses to accept that litter is just “the way it is.”

In 2020, during Covid, when the world slowed down, Bill sped up. What began as picking up litter in his neighbourhood became a daily mission. For 100 consecutive days, he spent four to five hours a day cleaning parks, trails, and the Etobicoke Creek corridor. Alone, he cleared kilometres of trail and pulled shopping carts, barrels, bikes, and debris from the water. By the end of that year, he had logged more than 725 volunteer hours.

While cleaning alone, Bill understood that committed individuals like himself do make an impact. Parks improve. Trails are cleaner. The change is visible. But he also saw the limits. Litter returns. New areas need attention. Small groups of individuals, no matter how determined, cannot carry a city on their shoulders. Individual efforts help but they are not the solution.That is why he founded People Against Littering (P.A.L.) in May 2020.

Since then, incredible, kind and caring P.A.L. volunteers have organized more than 250 cleanups and removed over 30 tons of trash from Brampton’s parks, streets, and waterways. P.A.L. has earned recognition for Environmental Stewardship and Community Excellence. Bill has received Citizen of the Year and Inspirational awards, a King Charles III Coronation Medal, and even had a Brampton park named in his honour.

Mayor Patrick Brown gives this powerful endorsement:
“Bill and P.A.L. have single-handedly done more to advance Brampton’s litter-free goals than anyone in history.”

But awards are not the goal. The goal is cultural change and a new positive social norm. P.A.L. exists to inspire and embolden residents to take pride in their city. Not through guilt. Not through lectures. Through leadership, kindness, and action.

The vision is bold: To make Brampton a litter-free city and one of the cleanest, safest, kindest, and most beautiful cities in the world.

Because when neighbours care, cities change, and when one city proves it can be done, others will follow.

“It’s only impossible until it’s not!”