Just how draconian are the city's revised trash regulations? Here's a rundown of the unsightly trash eyesores the regulations are trying to eradicate, and the fines that come with them.

Unsightly, garbage-filled grocery bags on the curb!

Garbage bags must be a minimum size of 56 centimetres by 61 centimetres, and at least 0.04 millimetres thick. Time to reclaim that old microscope kit from your parents' basement. Fines: first offense $50, second $100, third or more $300-$500.

Garbage blocking the sidewalk!

Leave a clear path at least 1.5 metres wide. Essentially, this means you should leave them teetering on the edge of the curb--but if they fall into the street, that's a trash crime, too. Fines: first offense $100, second $300, third or more $500-$1,000.

Tin cans in your garbage!

The city used to merely encourage recycling; now they're enforcing it. Save the environment, or else. Fines: $100, $300, $500-$1,000.

Disorderly garbage!

Place your bags neatly side by side, and make sure your bags are properly sealed. Sailor's knot-tying courses recommended. Fines: $50, $100, $300-$500.

Unsorted recyclables!

Separate and neatly bundle paper products, metals and plastics. Remove all labels; take wax-paper cereal bags out of their boxes. Using scissors, cut out the grease-stained areas of pizza boxes and discard them; recycle the rest. Sorting your trash is now a full-time job. Fines: $50, $100, $300-$500.

Trash-scavengers and dumpster-divers!

Henceforth, the only people allowed to root through your trash are the garbage inspectors. Fines: $100, $300, $500-$1,000.

Garbage bags cluttering city sidewalks!

Garbage bags should be set out at the curb no more than one hour prior to pick-up. An excuse to show up to work late. Fines: $50, $100, $300-$500.

Empty recycling bins cluttering city sidewalks!

You can put your recyclables out at 8 a.m. on collection day, but your empty bin has to be back inside your apartment by 7 p.m that night. An excuse to leave work early. Fines: $50, $100, $300-$500.

Syringes and pill bottles on the sidewalk!

Yes, the regulations specifically target junkies. Just picture the scene: "Is this your needle, sir?" Fines: $100, $300, $500-$1,000.

Safes, refrigerators and dead animals in your garbage!

The city offers special collection services for voluminous objects and expired pets. And anyway, your cat deserves better. Fines: $50, $100, $300-$500. :

--Philip Preville/Illustrations by François Cailler