Out with the blue, in with the new…

On June 20th, an information session was held at the Centre des loisirs. Around 20 people gathered to hear representatives from both the City and the Borough talk about recycling in dwellings of eight units or less.

Member of Montreal’s environment department Alain Leduc started things off with a PowerPoint presentation explaining the most recent report by the Commission sur le transport, la gestion des infrastructures et l’environnement regarding recycling. The study showed that in 2004, 109,290 tons of residual materials were recycled, a 34% recovery rate. Nevertheless, it is still short of the 60% by 2008 target set up by the Quebec government.

In order to reach the provincial goal the Commission recommended that some changes should be made to the recycling process. One of them is that bigger recycling containers with wheels should replace the smaller blue bins even if with bigger bins comes storage issues. “What we want to do is to replace the 64 litre bins with bigger bins on wheels where the urban frame allows it,” said Mr. Leduc. This means that 209 311 residences will most likely have different looking recycle bins in the near future.

The Commission also hopes that bins on wheels will find their way in buildings of nine units or more.

Bigger bins in three different sizes and recycling without sorting out the items were some of the solutions brought up during the information meeting.

While many were glad to hear Mr. Gauthier’s suggestions, others were not too thrilled by those possible changes. “What will we do with the blue bins?” “Are the bins on wheels going to be forced upon us?” “I do not have enough space for a bigger bin.” Mayor Alan DeSousa answered those questions by saying that everybody needs to chip in if they hope to reach the 60% target.

He added that everyone is going to pay if the borough does not attain the objective. A final decision regarding recycling in dwellings of eight units or less should be made this fall.

(Photo: Courtesy)