Advertising materials: What you need to know about the legislation
Montréal has adopted a by-law prohibiting the distribution of advertising materials, including flyers and leaflets. Since May 17, 2023, it is prohibited to distribute these materials to your property without your consent. Plastic packaging for advertising materials is also prohibited.
What is stipulated in the by-law
The By-law for reducing the environmental impacts associated with advertising materials calls for two main changes:
Opt-in policy to receive advertising materials
It is prohibited to deliver any advertising materials to private property without the consent of the owner or occupant.
In buildings with multiple dwellings, the number of advertising materials delivered must be identical to the number of opt-in stickers on the occupants’ mailboxes.
Sticker
To receive advertising materials, you must place an opt-in sticker (on the right) on your front door or mailbox.
The old “Pas de circulaire” stickers remain valid and do not have to be removed.
Ban on plastic packaging
Non-degradable and degradable plastic packaging for advertising materials, copostable or not, is prohibited. Packaging includes bags, envelopes and any other distribution container.
Removing flexible plastic improve sorting and the quality of paper bales destined for resale. Plastic packaging and paper advertising materials are rarely separated when placed in the recycling bin. Consequently, they contaminate the paper bales destined for recycling.
Offenders will be fined.
This by-law followed an application to hold a public consultation submitted under the right of initiative.
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