The City of Westmount has increased its efforts to divert 60% of our waste from landfill sites, but we can’t do it without you!
An important part of waste diversion is our recycling programme. Westmounters are leaders in this area with one of the highest participation rates in the province, but there is always room for improvement. You can recycle better by making sure that materials in your recycling bin are properly prepared for pick-up. It’s so easy and there’s no excuse.
Points to remember:
Cleaning: All recyclable materials should be clean from food residue. Rinse containers to prevent mould and unpleasant odours. Items that cannot be cleaned are NOT recyclable and should be put in the garbage. It’s a question of hygiene, as work at the recycling sorting centre is often done manually.
Watch the clock: Put your recycling bin out behind the sidewalk before 8 a.m. on Wednesday for collection. Do not put recyclables out the night before, as materials that get blown away usually end up in the garbage instead of being properly recycled.
Over the last several years, the percentage of waste recycled by Westmount residents has stayed the same, but the overall amount of waste collected has continued to grow. Let’s reverse the trend. In 2004, Westmount residents recycled 41% of their household waste. Our goal of recycling 60% of household waste is within reach, and you can make the difference.
Please note: Recycling still uses energy and pollutes; you can do a lot more for the environment by reducing and reusing. Buy in bulk to avoid packaging, choose quality, long-lasting items, and avoid disposables. You'll be doing yourself a favour.
The big blue box If you live in a house and do not have a blue box, or you need a replacement blue box, pick one up at the Public Works Building, 1 Bethune, during regular business hours. A proof of residence is required.
Blue boxes must be placed directly behind (but not on) the sidewalk for the weekly collection on Wednesday mornings between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., or as close as possible to that time. Please make sure it is clearly visible from the street.
As with garbage, leaving recyclable materials at the street other than on the day of collection contravenes the City’s sanitation by-law. Fines begin at $141.
The big blue bag
For apartment dwellers, Westmount offers convenient blue bags to help carry materials to your recycling bins.
Blue bags can be obtained at City Hall’s Customer Service Centre (4333 Sherbrooke Street West)or at the Public Works Building (1 Bethune Street) during regular working hours. A proof of residence is required.
Recycling materials are placed securely in your blue box. Materials piled high in the box often spill over and cause litter in the surrounding area. Remember that materials that get blown away will usually end up in the garbage instead of being recycled.
When preparing your blue box please remember to flatten empty containers, such as milk and juice cartons and plastic bottles. All cardboard boxes from cereal, crackers, laundry detergent and tissues should be flattened. Flattening empty boxes and containers will give you more space in you blue box and lessen the chance of spill over.
Excess materials are clean, and placed securely in a plastic or paper bag next to your blue box.
While most materials can be recycled, there are some important exceptions. If you include non-recyclable items in your blue box, you risk contaminating the contents of the whole truck.
