Education

New sorting stations at Parc La Fontaine

Last updated October 15, 2026
Reading time: 1 min
Stations de tri

Parc La Fontaine is making some changes to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill. Thanks to new sorting stations, recyclables in the park and at home can be picked up. Sorting recyclables will be easier and the public will enjoy a cleaner area.

Research and analysis

The city looked into what is being done elsewhere in the world and consulted scientific waste management experts. An analysis of the contents of the park’s garbage cans confirmed that more than 60% of the materials found there are containers, packaging and printed matter, which can be diverted from landfills.

  • On a busy summer day, people using the park generate up to 500 kg (half a tonne) of garbage.
  • Only 20% of this amount should end up in a trash can. 
  • More than 43% of the materials in the park’s trash cans are recyclable.

Gradual 3-year transition

The park will serve as an innovation laboratory to reduce waste sent to landfills. This step-by-step approach means that solutions can be tested, evaluated, and adjusted based on field results.

16 new high-capacity sorting stations will be installed at strategic locations to:

  • Make it easier for park visitors to find and use them
  • Optimize operational management
  • Properly sort containers, packaging and printed matter
  • Separate returnable beverage containers to make it easier to return them

Timeline

  • 2026: Arrival of the new sorting stations
  • Summer 2027: Observation and awareness-raising in the park
  • Fall 2027 to 2029: Adjustments and gradual removal of older, less efficient street furniture, based on field observations

Modernizing recycling collections

As of January 2025, sorting recyclables in Montréal is simple: All containers, packaging and printed materials go into the blue bin or the green bin.

Learn more about simplified and standardized collection.