The City of Montreal operates a network of ecocentres and surprisingly (or not), the one at 6925 Côte-des-Neiges wants to increase its traffic. It’s currently near the bottom of the list, ranking sixth out of seven, with 25,247 visits compared to 36,365 for the Acadie ecocentre.
Citizens might be unaware of their local ecocentre, and some may not be familiar with the services it offers and the difference between an éco-quartier and an ecocentre.
If you want to give or recycle objects, your alternative to the éco-quartier (and the landfill) is the ecocentre.
The goal of an ecocentre is to reduce the quantity of residual and hazardous waste sent to the city’s landfill. Ecocentres are semi-industrial centres where you can bring things year-round. In the summer they’re open every day from 8 a.m to 6 p.m.
Ecocentres find specialized recycling companies for whatever materials have value. They are able to save about 70% of what people bring there. The waste goes to companies selected through the city’s tender process.
They accept construction materials like concrete, wood, earth and soil, electronic components such as old TV sets and microwaves, dangerous household products that can’t be dumped in the drain, exploding products, spray cans and gas cylinders, automobile parts such as used tires and batteries, and objects in good condition like sports articles, music instruments and decorations. Note that all clothing donations received at the ecocentre are given to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Montreal Foundation.
The ecocentre also helps promote recycling companies, of which there are about 350 in Montreal. It’s free and accessible year-round to all citizens with proof of residence in the Montreal agglomeration. They can bring the equivalent of 12 carloads per year free of charge with no limit on hazardous waste.
There is a fee of $25 per cubic meter for construction materials. After 15 visits to the ecocentre at 6925 Côte-des-Neiges, construction materials should be taken to the more spacious LaSalle ecocentre.
A provincial government program collects cooking oil, which can be transformed into fuel. The Communauté métropolitaine de Québec has an online tool at reduiremesdechets.com to help citizens do their share in waste reduction.
The Côte-des-Neiges ecocentre is somewhat underused and is inviting all citizens to become familiar with its services. For more info, you can visit ville.montreal.qc.ca/ecocentre.
