WASTE GUIDE
IN THIS GUIDE:
HOW TO SORT YOUR WASTE
DID YOU KNOW?
Waste sorting regulations across Québec were revamped this year. That means the way you sort waste has changed!
*NEW* WASTE SORTING
MORE QUESTIONS?
Québec’s ça va où app/website has a comprehensive list of how to sort every waste item.
Most waste that previously went in the landfill stream now goes in recycling. You DO NOT need to sort your recycling. Compostable items remain unchanged.
COMPOST
Organic waste
Recyclable items with organic stains
LANDFILL WASTE
Styrofoam
Aerosol cans
Compostable bags
WHAT ABOUT ELECTRONICS?
RECYCLABLES
Hazardous waste is any waste that doesn’t fall into the categories above, such as batteries and electronics.
Hazardous Waste Management provides disposal for McGillians free of charge!
SO... WHAT GOES WHERE?
Inorganicmaterials;non-compostable coffeecups;liquids;waxedorlaminated plastic/cardboard;textiles;animalwaste; andnon-compostablecups.
Coffeecups;paperproductsstainedwith greaseorfood;dirtyorwetpaper products.
Brokenandflatglass.
Cleananddryrecyclableplastic,glassor metal,paper,andcardboard;organic waste,andhazardouswaste.
McGill waste streams:
SORTING WASTE AT HOME
Most waste in your home can be sorted into 3 CATEGORIES:
DID YOU KNOW?
Anything you put in the trash (landfill waste) goes directly to the landfill - this is the worst for the environment!
LANDFILL WASTE RECYCLABLES 1. COMPOST
Waste sorting works differently at home than on campus. Your recyclable items can be put in one bin (instead of the 2 streams like on campus). Some items that you would put in the Blue Recyclables stream on campus are also accepted as compost in Montréal - check out page 3 for a full guide on which items go in your Brown Bin (compost)
STEP-BY-STEP FOR AT HOME SORTING:
1. STEP Put compostable items in your Brown Bin!
Food waste, paper/cardboard soiled by food, and solid papers should be composted
If it can’t be composted, make sure you recycle it.
2. STEP
3. STEP
Most of your waste can be recycled; that means ALL plastic, metal, paper, cardboard, and glass. You do not need to sort your recycling in Québec.
If it can’t be recycled or composted, put it in the trash bin *
The regular trash bin should be your last resort - your trash bag should be the smallest!
*Some things, like bulky items and hazardous waste (like batteries) can’t be put in any of the three categories above You can find a full list of how to dispose of these items here
RESOURCES
ABOUT BROWN BINS
Organic waste in Montréal is collected through Brown Bins. They come in four different sizes depending on your needs.
You can also get a smaller Mini Bin for your kitchen or dining room if you feel that you don’t produce enough waste for a full Brown Bin.
GETTING A BIN
Brown Bins and Mini Bins are provided to you for
When you request a Brown Bin, you will also be provided with a Mini Bin If you have a lease, you should check with your landlord to see if they have already requested a bin at your location - the city will only provide one Brown Bin/Mini Bin per address.
Request a free Brown Bin and/or Mini Bin: Request a free Brown Bin and Mini Bin
WHAT GOES IN A BROWN BIN?
ABOUT RECYCLING BINS
All types of recyclable materials in Montréal are collected through Recycling bins.
Some bins are blue, others are green, and Small Bins are grey with a light green lid. Despite the colour difference, all bins can be used for any of your recyclables in Montréal The new Quebec laws are trying to make the shift towards only blue bins!
GETTING A BIN
Recycling Bins are provided to you for
You are entitled to one large bin per address If you live in an apartment building, chances are your building already has a large recycling bin - you can check with your landlord to see if this is the case Even if your building has a large bin, you are still entitled to a Small Bin for your unit.
Request a free Recycling Bin/Small Bin: Request a free Recycling Bin/Small Bin
Get a bin repaired: Request a bin repair
WHAT GOES IN A RECYCLING BIN?
UNSOILEDPLASTIC WRAPPERS OTHERPLASTICS
DID YOU KNOW?
You pay a deposit on all beverage cans/bottles you buy in Québec. You can get the deposit back when you recycle used cans/bottles at designated drop-off sites.
WHAT CAN I RECYCLE?
Plastic bottles between 100ml and 2L
All glass bottles
All aluminium cans
Full list of accepted items
WHERE CAN I RECYCLE?
Drop-Off Site Map - McGill
Import our Google Map of drop-off sites close to McGill student neighbourhoods!
Import the map
Drop-Off Site Map - Cosignaction
Check out the Cosignaction page of drop-off sites across Québec!
Visit the site
REDUCE SINGLE USE PLASTICS
Over 50% of waste produced in any given city comes from packaging Of all packaging, single-use plastic is the worst for the environment. To reduce your impact, consider using reusable alternatives instead!
USE NEWSPAPER AS COMPOST LINING
Instead of buying a composting bag, consider using newspaper or other paper to line your compost bin. Paper items can be composted in Montréal (see page 2a), making this an effective way to reduce your waste and save money.
CHOOSE TO HAVE RECEIPTS EMAILED
Receipts are commonly printed on paper with a semi-plastic lining, making it non-recyclable in Montréal. When you have the option, chose to have your receipts emailed so you don’t contribute more to landfill waste.