Wanted: green waste

If you don’t know what to do with your grass cuttings, dead leaves or rotten apples, Montreal wants you to get involved. Beginning tomorrow, the collection service for selected green waste will be set in motion, as part of the management plan for residual material launched in April.

Mayor Alan DeSousa explained the details of this initiative and the reasons for its implementation. In his capacity as the member of the Executive Committee responsible for sustainable development, he announced an island-wide expansion of the collection program. As mayor of Saint-Laurent, he announced the program would be put in place in his own borough by September, although Rosemont and Anjou beat him to it, having launched their green waste collection programs a few months ago.

The objective is to prevent green waste from being thrown out and to encourage composting. While 47 per cent of residual material produced by Montrealers is organic, only seven per cent of it was composted in 2006. The mayor announced he would like to retrieve raw materials "at the source." "Organic materials are responsible for the production of biogas," he said.

The green waste collected will benefit parks, be used by community organizations or become part of the eco-system at the Saint-Michel environmental park. An ad campaign, which includes an explanatory and motivational short film, is in the making. Samajam, the troupe of percussionists who animated the launch of the program at Gohier Park on August 26, will participate in the awareness campaign at metro stations in the city.

Asked about the cost of the project, the mayor responded vaguely, citing a sum of roughly $3, 000, 000. At the beginning of August, the Saint-Laurent council granted a contract of $65, 237 for the collection of green waste in residential buildings. There will be six pick-ups, between September 1 and October 10.

At a press conference, a Saint-Laurent resident who composts regularly asked those responsible for the program if there will be quality control on the materials to be taken away. He was reassured that would be the case.

The bag that will soon show up on Saint-Laurent sidewalks is one metre tall and entirely biodegradable. Officials promise it will resist gusts of wind once it’s full. (Translated by Maya Johnson) (Photo: Maya d'Alarie-Photo)

It’s organic material that comes from gardening and horticultural activities, such as mowing the lawn. The material accepted by the collection program includes landscaping waste, grass cuttings, waste from vegetable gardens or fruit trees, and small branches (less than one metre long) tied in bundles. It’s important to note that food waste is not accepted. Soil and stones are not accepted either.

The bag must be placed in the same spot as household garbage on the sidewalk. Collection routes are divided the same way as they are for regular garbage. Be careful though, as collection days are different. You’ll have to call your borough office to find out what day your green waste is collected.