What to put in the recycling bin
The items that you can put in your bin to facilitate recycling can be summed up as follows: containers, packaging and print materials. Here are some examples of materials that are accepted or refused.
Montréal’s recycling bins have been green for several years. With the modernization of the selective collection, however, they will now be replaced with blue bins when they are damaged or beyond repair.
Materials accepted: containers, packaging and print materials only
Follow these simple steps before putting your containers, packaging or print materials in the bin.
- Make sure your containers are empty.
- Unscrew the metal covers from containers and add them separately.
- Leave the caps on plastic bottles.
- Make balls with aluminum foil.
- Break down and flatten cardboard boxes.
Containers
A container comes with a cap or a cover. Examples of containers that are accepted:
- Tin cans
- Olive oil bottles
- Glass wine or spirit bottles
- Milk or juice cartons (multi-layer containers)
- Non-hazardous household cleaning products
- Jars of jam or peanut butter
- Yogurt containers of all sizes
- Cardboard or paper containers soiled with food or liquid must go in the brown bin.
- Aluminum cans must be redeemed.
Packaging
Packaging makes it easy to transport a product. Examples of packaging that is accepted:
- Aluminum plates and foil
- Cardboard boxes
- Egg cartons
- Fruit baskets
- Takeout food packaging
- Paper bags
- Packaging bags and film
- Cardboard toilet paper rolls
Print materials
Examples of print materials that are accepted:
- Newspapers and circulars
- Envelopes (even with a window)
- Sheets of paper (even with staples)
- Notebooks and magazines
- Catalogues, telephone directories
Materials not accepted
The following materials should not be placed in the bin:
- Pressurized steel containers (aerosol containers)
- Protective polystyrene packaging (in the form of beads)
- Biodegradable or degradable plastics (e.g., PLA acronym)
- Paper hand towels, tissue paper, paper towels and table napkins
- Household garbage bags
- Plastic or metal toys
- Paint or oil cans
- Electronics · Batteries
- Appliances containing liquid refrigerant (refrigerator, air conditioner)
- Clothing, fabrics and shoes
- Flat glass, bulbs, drinking glasses, pyrex plates, and mirrors
- Diapers, menstrual cups
- Pet litter
Many of these materials can be brought to an ecocentre or a disposal site set up for that purpose.
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