Modernized curbside recycling system comes into effect

From curbside recycling to circular economy

• Management of the system has been entrusted to an organization designated by RECYC-QUÉBEC: Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) is now responsible for planning, implementing and financing the curbside recycling system throughout Quebec.
• The regulations governing this modernized curbside recycling system, drawn up using an extended producer responsibility (EPR) approach, transfer to producers and Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) the responsibility, until now assumed by municipal organizations, of collecting, transporting, sorting, packaging and recycling or otherwise recuperating end-of-life products.
• The deployment of this modernized system means that the guidelines on what materials are accepted in the recycling bin, and how they should be sorted, are now uniform throughout Quebec.
• The gradual introduction of the modernized curbside recycling system is an opportunity for Quebec to build a circular economy for recyclable materials, with a focus on recycling containers, packaging and printed matter.

What changes?

✔ What is called “recycling” is actually recovery. Recovery is in fact the first stage of collection from citizens, with the materials collected then passing through the sorting center before being processed and recycled.

✔ Bin Impact is the new popular brand, developed by ÉEQ and launched in January 2024, which becomes the new benchmark for selective collection in Quebec. With Bin Impact, the ÉEQ wants to educate people about the right thing to do and make them aware of the impact of what they put in the bin. You’ve probably seen some of their video ads (in French only):
J’en ai plein mon bac, with Sam Cyr and Marylène Gendron
Advertising for the awareness campaign on the impact of sorting by Bin Impact (Hose)
Advertising for the awareness campaign on the impact of sorting by Bin Impact (Drill)

✔ In short, from now on, you have got three words to remember when it comes to what to put in your recycling bin: containers, packaging and printed paper. That’s it!

✔ The deposit for glass and multi-layer beverage containers covered by the modernized deposit system has been postponed until 2027. Until then, these containers will continue to be accepted in the blue bin.

A civic gesture!

It may seem like a trivial gesture, but choosing the right recyclable materials to put in the recovery bin is part of the circular economy. It is a conscious gesture that helps the curbside recycling system run smoothly.

Thank you for your collaboration!

For further information:
Modernized selective collection (in French only), Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs
Modernization of the Curbside Recycling System, Éco Entreprises Québec
Frequently asked questions (in French only), Bac Impact

For any additional information: please contact the Public Works and Fixed Assets Department by telephone at 450 538-2290, option 2, or by e-mail at [email protected].