Types of waste

The municipality recognizes three types of waste, and provides three types of bins for their collection:

  1. brown bins for organic materials

  2. green bins for recyclable materials

  3. black bins for other waste

Use the information on this page to practice proper waste management.

The brown bin: organic materials

The category of organic materials is continuously evolving. The information below was gathered through Google Translate in August 2025. For the latest information on the identification and disposal of organic materials, visit:

https://traindeviedurable.com/matieres-organiques/

Materials allowed in the brown bin

The following materials may be placed in the brown bin, in any of the following ways:

  • loose

  • in a paper bag

  • wrapped in newspaper

Food waste

  • fruits, vegetables

  • meat, fish, bones from same

  • breads, cereals, flours, sugars

  • pasta

  • dairy products

  • coffee beans, coffee grounds, coffee filters

  • tea bags, herbal tea

  • crab shells, lobster shells

  • egg shells

  • nut shells

  • sweets, confectionery

  • pet food

Soiled paper and cardboard

  • soiled paper plates

  • soiled paper glasses

  • cardboard boxes soiled with food (e.g., a pizza box)

  • soiled paper towels

  • soiled tissues and napkins

  • paper bags

  • parchment paper

Green waste

  • indoor plants

  • garden waste

  • weeds (except for exotic plants or invasive plants)

  • sawdust, bark, wood shavings

Other organic materials

  • cold ashes – after 4 weeks

  • hair, animal fur

  • small-animal litter (cats, rabbits, hamsters)

  • dog feces (either loose or in a paper bag)

  • tobacco, cigarette paper

Materials not allowed in the brown bin

  • cork stoppers

  • diapers, sanitary products (tampons, sanitary napkins), cotton balls

  • disposable broom sheets (e.g., a Swiffer)

  • vacuum cleaner bags and their contents

  • carpets, rugs

  • textiles (even clothing with organic fibers)

  • drugs

  • wax paper, wax

  • dental floss

  • chewing gum

  • exotic plants or invasive plants (e.g., giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, phragmites, purple loosestrife)

  • dead animals

  • plastic bags of any sort (whether compostable, oxobiodegradable, or biodegradable)

  • recyclable materials (clean paper and cardboard, glass, plastic and metal containers)

  • construction materials (wood, glass, metal, etc.)

  • hazardous household waste (oils, paints, batteries, pesticides, fertilizers)

The green bin: recyclable materials

The category of recyclable materials is continuously evolving. The information below was gathered through Google Translate in August 2025. For the latest information on the identification and disposal of recyclable materials, visit:

https://traindeviedurable.com/matieres-recyclables/

Materials allowed in the green bin

The following materials may be placed in the green bin, provided they are loose. If you’ve used any type of bag to bring the recyclable materials to the green bin, empty materials from the bag into the bin; do not place the full bag in the bin.

Containers

Flexible, or rigid, containers made of paper, cardboard, glass, plastic or metal. (Generally, containers of this type come with a cap or lid.) Examples include:

  • shampoo bottle

  • bottle of oil

  • laundry soap container

  • container of sour cream

Packaging

Packaging is made of paper, cardboard, glass, plastic or metal. (Generally, packaging is used to safely transport a product.) Examples include:

  • polystyrene tray (e.g., a meat tray)

  • egg carton

  • fruit carton

  • jars

  • aluminum foil

  • soft bar paper

  • rigid polystyrene plastic (e.g., a single-serving yogurt container)

  • paper bag

  • bag of chips

  • Ziploc bag

  • self-supporting bag

Prints

These are the papers and other fibers that sometimes bear texts, patterns or images. Examples include:

  • leaflet

  • envelope

  • lined sheet

  • newspaper

  • magazine

  • shredded paper (in a clear, tied bag)

  • wrapping paper

  • printer paper

Materials not allowed in the green bin

Polystyrene plastics

For the latest information on the identification and disposal of polystyrene plastics, visit:

https://traindeviedurable.com/autres-plastiques/

Polystyrene plastics are neither recyclable materials nor waste. They must be taken to an EcoCentre, or home.

Polystyrene plastics are all number 6 plastics, and may be subdivided into four categories:

Styrofoam food containers, including:

  • plates

  • food trays for vegetables or meats

  • egg cartons

  • coffee cups

Rigid food containers, including:

  • plates

  • mushroom trays, berry trays

  • small milk containers, coffee cream containers

  • yogurt pots

  • utensils

  • clear glasses and domes (e.g., the clear dome and black base packaging often used to enclose a ready-to-eat meal)

  • clear drinking glasses and domes

‘Small marble’ protective packaging, such as protective packaging for:

  • electronic devices

  • household appliances

  • plant boxes

Insulation (pink, blue, green or white insulation panels).

Other materials not allowed in the green bin

Anything that is not a container, packaging or printed matter is not allowed in the green bin. Examples include:

  • coroplast poster

  • cork stopper

  • saucepan

  • plastic garden chair

  • rope

  • deck of cards

  • toy

  • mirror

  • piece of wood

  • syringe

  • porcelain

  • garden hose

  • dishes

  • clothing

  • fabric

And also include:

  • light bulb

  • battery

  • propane tank (whether full or empty)

  • paint can (whether full or empty)

  • agricultural container or plastic

The black bin: other waste

The category of waste is continuously evolving. The information below was gathered through Google Translate in August 2025. For the latest information on the identification and disposal of waste, visit:

https://traindeviedurable.com/bac-noir/

Materials allowed in the black bin

  • plastic toothbrushes

  • hairbrushes, combs

  • compostable plastic containers, compostable plastic packaging

  • used sponges, dishwashing gloves

  • broken games, broken toys

  • broken Pyrex dishes

  • compostable plastic bags, biodegradable plastic bags, oxobiodegradable plastic bags

  • single-use plastic utensils

  • broken silicone kitchen utensils

  • broken dishes

Materials not allowed in the black bin

  • food waste

  • organic materials

  • recyclable materials

  • tires

  • electronic products

  • electrical equipment

  • refrigeration appliances, freezing appliances

  • flammable or explosive materials

  • hazardous household waste

  • construction, renovation or demolition residues (concrete, wood, gypsum, metal, etc.)

  • rocks, stones, gravel

  • earth, compost, manure