Take items to an ecocentre
Do you want to get rid of partially recyclable materials or household hazardous waste? Ecocentres offer separate containers and spaces for different types of material. Learn the rules about bringing items to an ecocentre.
Prepare for your visit
Ecocentres are sites where unwanted items can be recovered and reused. They are located throughout Montréal. You can use ecocentre services if:
- You live in the Montréal agglomeration
- You own a property there
- Your construction company is located in the agglomeration
- Your community organization is located there
Before you go
- View the map to find the ecocentre nearest you.
- See the waiting time (in French).
- Check the type and length of accepted vehicles.
- Sort your items in the trunk of your car: this will make your visit shorter.
- Prepare the documents you will have to show.
- If you’re bringing heavy items (TV, fridge, etc.), please bring someone with you. Employees cannot help with unloading.
Once on site
- You must present identification with your name and address and declare the materials you are bringing, whether you come on foot or by bike or car.
- For your own safety, please take the following precautions when sorting and disposing of your materials: adequate clothing, safety goggles, closed shoes and gloves.
- Follow all instructions and signage.
Acceptable and unacceptable materials
- Any item for domestic use that contains an integrated, non-removable battery, such as electronic cigarettes, personal care devices or smoke detector with sealed batteries. Go to the hazardous household waste (HHW) counter
- Branches and logs: Branches more than 1 m long or more than 5 cm in diameter: As long as you can unload them and carry them yourself, without machinery.
- Electric bicycles and scooters
- Construction, renovation and demolition debris: metal, asphalt shingles, gypsum board, etc.
- Electrical appliances: washing machines, clothes dryers, toasters, etc.
- Electronics: TV screens, computers, telephones, etc. (Non-functioning discs, CDs, DVDs and VHS are also accepted but are not recycled). Limit of 20 electronic devices per year.
- Engine oil: leak-proof and closed container of 20 litres maximum
- Fire extinguishers
- Gas-powered car batteries
- Green waste – Only accepted during the summer season
- Mattresses and box springs
- Recyclable materials: paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, metal
- Unusable tires that have only been used for residential purposes (8 max. per day)
- Upholstered furniture: sofas, armchairs, chairs.
- Sand or soil (uncontaminated)
- Clothing that is still in good condition
- Wood: planks and pieces of wood, natural Christmas trees (undecorated), etc.
- Gas-fueled lawnmowers and other small motor-powered devices, once emptied: Collect the gas and oil (one container for each liquid) separately before bringing everything to the ecocentre. Fuel transfer is not allowed on site.
- Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, chilled wine cellars. These appliances must be emptied of food or other articles. Only residential appliances are accepted. Handle them carefully to avoid leakage of halocarbons (gases that are very harmful to the environment). Limit of 10 appliances per year.
- Hazardous household waste (HHW): Products must be in their original containers and clearly identified. Products must not be mixed with other products.
- The volume of every liquid HHW container may not exceed 20 liters.
- The weight of every solid HHW container may not exceed 20 kilograms.
- The total volume of the discarded piles may not exceed 2 liters per visit.
- Lithium batteries*: Before bringing them to the ecocentre, you should cover the battery terminals with clear tape or insulating tape, making sure not to cover the brand name or chemistry on the label. Alternatively, you can place each battery in a transparent, closed bag. Handle with care to avoid impacts that could damage the battery.
*Includes: Coin-or button-shaped batteries, alkaline batteries that are 9V or higher, and small sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries.
- Any electric (battery-powered) or motor vehicle (e.g., motorcycle, wheelchair, personal watercraft, all-terrain vehicle, etc.), except electric bicycles and scooters: Visit a supplier or a scrap metal dealer.
Any material not listed as acceptable, and in particular:
- Asbestos: contact an engineered landfill site (dumping site)
- Biomedical waste: consult a health professional or a CSSS (Centre de santé et de services sociaux)
- Compressed gas cylinders other than propane (insulating foam, welding gas, helium, CO2 cylinders, etc.): contact a specialized business
- Contaminated earth: contact a specialized company
- Electric vehicle batteries: Take them to a car dealership
- Any electric (battery-powered) or motor vehicle (e.g., motorcycle, motor scooter, wheelchair, personal watercraft, all-terrain vehicle, etc.), except electric bicycles and scooters: Go to a supplier or scrap dealer.
- Food waste: use a brown bin or a compost site
- Household waste: use the domestic pickup
- Medications and syringes: take them to a pharmacy
- Old clothing that can no longer be worn
- Products classified as explosives, such as pyrotechnics (fireworks and Bengal torches), ammunition and firearms, gunpowder and rifle powder: Make an appointment at a neighborhood police station
- Smoke alarms: throw them away with your household garbage
- Used election posters: Please contact a waste recovery operator
- Wrecked cars, riding lawn mowers or off-road vehicles: Go to a scrap dealer
Mattresses and other upholstered furniture are accepted at the ecocentre, but are not recycled (except at the Saint-Laurent ecocentre, which recycles mattresses and box springs). Some companies take back used mattresses when you buy a new one, for recycling. Please check with the store.
Styrofoam (number 6 plastic) is only accepted for recycling at the LaSalle and Saint-Laurent ecocentres. The other ecocentres will accept styrofoam, but will not recycle it.
Fees
The scale rental fee is $15.50.
These amounts are tax-exempt. Rates vary depending on your situation:
Construction, renovation and demolition (CRD) waste
- Up to 12 cubic metres per year: free
- Beyond that amount: $31 for each extra cubic metre
Other materials
Free, but volume may be limited
Construction, renovation and demolition (CRD) waste
- Up to 12 cubic metres per year: free
- Beyond that amount: $31 for each extra cubic metre
Other materials
- Free, but volume may be limited
- Construction, renovation and demolition (CRD) waste: $31 per m3
- Metals, green waste and electronic products: free
The volume accepted may be limited.
- Construction, renovation and demolition (CRD) waste: $31 per m3
- Metals, green waste (only accepted during the summer season) and electronic products: free
The volume accepted may be limited.
Not-for-profit organizations can use the ecocentre for free, but the volume accepted may be limited.
Number of visits
No more than 15 visits per year for construction material. There is no limit for other acceptable materials (view the list).
Exceptions
- Unlimited visits to the LaSalle and Saint-Laurent ecocentres are permitted.
- Nonprofit organizations can use the ecocentre as often as they like.
Accepted vehicles
Ecocentre | With or without a trailer | Trucks with a body |
|---|---|---|
Acadie | They must be less than 7.3 metres (24 feet) long. | They must be less than 6.8 metres (22 feet) long. |
Côte-des-Neiges | They must be less than 11 metres (36 feet) long. | They must be less than 7.4 metres (24 feet) long. |
La Petite-Patrie | They must be less than 7.3 metres (24 feet) long. | They must be less than 6.8 metres (22 feet) long. |
LaSalle | They must be less than 11 metres (36 feet) long. | They must be less than 8.3 metres (27 feet) long. |
Rivière-des-Prairies | They must be less than 11 metres (36 feet) long. | They must be less than 7.4 metres (24 feet) long. |
Saint-Laurent | They must be less than 11 metres (36 feet) long. | They must be less than 8.3 metres (27 feet) long. |
Saint-Michel | They must be less than 11 metres (36 feet) long. | They must be less than 7.4 metres (24 feet) long. |
Dump trucks are permitted to enter, but it is prohibited to use the bucket in the ecocentre. | ||
Required documents
Show 1 form of photo ID from among the following options:
- Citizenship card
- Permanent resident card
- Québec health insurance card
- Passport in French or in English showing your date and place of birth
- Driver’s license
Attention: The ID shown must be that of the person who is physically present at the ecocentre.
Please provide the following documents depending on your situation:
Show 1 form of proof of address from among the following options:
- Accès Montréal card
- Home insurance certificate or statement that is less than 1 year old
- School or municipal tax account
- Bill from a public utility (electricity, telephone, gas or cable provider) that is less than 3 months old
- Bill from an educational institution that is less than 3 months old
- Monthly statement from a credit or financial institution that is less than 3 months old
Show 1 proof of address:
- School or municipal tax account in your name (or in the name of the company owning the property)
Show 1 form of proof of address from among the following options:
- Valid proof that the business is located on the island of Montréal ( certificate of occupancy)
- Proof of residency of the person where the work was done. In this case, the person must be with you and will have to provide identification
Show the following document:
- A copy of the letters patent
Learn more
Need help?
Contact us if you have questions.
Are you sure you want to leave this page?
This page is not available in English. You will be redirected to the English home page.