The ABCs of moving: Doing the right thing

Sort out the things you don’t want to keep and take advantage of collection services to get rid of them responsibly before you move. It will be easier to manage on the big day.

Many organizations, donation depots and reuse centres give a second life to furniture and household items, electrical appliances, clothing, toys, sports and leisure items. In addition to drop-off locations where you can bring used items, some organizations offer home pick-up services. Find an organization near you.

Some things can be recovered and transformed. Take advantage of the non-upholstered large items and construction waste collection to dispose of your appliances and furniture.

 Appliances containing halocarbons, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, must be brought to the Ecocentre.

Some objects cannot be reused, recycled or recovered and will therefore become waste. Take advantage of the weekly household garbage collections, which also accept bulky upholstered items such as sofas and mattresses.

Occasional collections of hazardous household waste are held in various areas of the island of Montréal. You can also drop off certain items, such as mercury-type light bulbs (compact and regular fluorescent lights) as well as batteries, computers, printers, cell phones, paint cans, oils, aerosols and other hazardous products at Ecocentres or at collection points near your home.

Info-collectes allows you to quickly determine the schedule of all the collections offered at your new home.

If you still don’t know what to do with items you want to get rid of, visit the “Ça va où?” Web site (in French)

When moving in to your new home, make sure there’s a smoke alarm or detector installed, otherwise ask your landlord to install one. All residential buildings built before 1985 that are not equipped with smoke alarms connected to an electrical system must be equipped with smoke alarms with a non-removable lithium battery that lasts 10 years.

Bedbugs and cockroaches can be found in all types of homes, from modest to luxurious. Reduce the risk of contamination by taking precautions before, during and after your move.

Before moving: 

• Place your clothes, bedding and curtains in tightly sealed plastic bags.
• Tape cardboard boxes shut, making sure to seal every opening.

During the move: 

• Inspect the moving truck before loading your belongings.

After moving: 

• Check for bedbugs or eggs with a flashlight in the dark, especially in bedrooms. Bedbugs and cockroaches hide from the light and come out in the dark.
• Report the presence of these insects immediately to the owner or manager of the building so that a certified exterminator can be hired quickly. Don’t try to deal with the problem yourself as over-the-counter extermination products can be harmful to your health.

Consult our bedbug prevention tips. If the problem persists, contact 311.

Are you moving to a new home where pets are not allowed? Here are your choices:

• Find a foster family 

Word of mouth and social networks might help you find a foster home for your pet. 

• Find a shelter

There are several shelters and adoption organizations in Montréal that could take your pet in and try to find him (or her) a new home.