{"id":3667,"date":"2026-05-08T18:46:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T18:46:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/montreal-abolishes-some-local-hazardous-waste-collections-why-this-decision-worries-the-environment-and-community-initiatives\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T18:46:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T18:46:14","slug":"montreal-abolishes-some-local-hazardous-waste-collections-why-this-decision-worries-the-environment-and-community-initiatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/en\/montreal-abolishes-some-local-hazardous-waste-collections-why-this-decision-worries-the-environment-and-community-initiatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Montreal abolishes some local hazardous waste collections: why this decision worries the environment and community initiatives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Montreal abolishes some local hazardous waste collections: why this decision worries the environment and community initiatives<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n

According to an article published by La Presse on April 27, 2026, the City of Montreal will end certain local collections of household hazardous waste, redirecting citizens to municipal ecocenters.<\/p>\n\n

This decision raises a number of important questions. For beyond the administrative aspect, it risks having very real impacts on citizens, the environment and community organizations involved in the responsible recovery of materials. <\/p>\n\n

Source:<\/strong>La Presse article: “Montreal abolishes its local hazardous waste collections”.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

A decision that could increase sorting errors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

For many citizens, local collections represented a simple and accessible solution for disposing of hazardous products such as :<\/p>\n\n

– paint– solvents– batteries– oils– chemicals– aerosols– toxic cleaners<\/p>\n\n

By reducing these local service points, the risk is clear: more materials could be thrown away in the wrong place.<\/p>\n\n

And when a citizen no longer knows what to do with a subject, three scenarios often emerge:<\/p>\n\n

– it ends up in the regular garbage– it is illegally abandoned– it is dropped off at unsuitable donation points<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Risks for citizens<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Household hazardous waste is not ordinary waste.<\/p>\n\n

Incorrect handling can lead to :<\/p>\n\n

– poisoning– fires– chemical reactions– injuries– risks to children and animals<\/p>\n\n

These materials require specialized infrastructures for safe handling and processing.<\/p>\n\n

According to information reported by La Presse, Montreal would like to centralize the management of these materials further via municipal ecocenters. However, this centralization could also reduce accessibility for certain sectors and increase illegal dumping. <\/p>\n\n

\n\n

An environmental impact that may be underestimated<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

When hazardous products are improperly disposed of:<\/p>\n\n

– soils may be contaminated– water tables may be affected– treatment infrastructures are under greater pressure– environmental costs increase for municipalities<\/p>\n\n

But there’s also another, less discussed impact: the contamination of recovery and reuse channels.<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Why this situation also affects Fondation La Collecte<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

At Fondation La Collecte, we work every day to divert thousands of pounds of clothing and textiles from landfill to support a concrete social mission: funding the youth mentoring programs of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Montreal.<\/p>\n\n

Our model is based on a simple principle:<\/p>\n\n

The right item.In the right place.In the right channel.<\/p>\n\n

We do not collect hazardous waste.<\/p>\n\n

We collect clothing, textiles and accepted items for re-use and recycling.<\/p>\n\n

When non-compliant materials are found in donations :<\/p>\n\n

– slows down sorting– increases operating costs– creates risks for teams– reduces environmental efficiency– reduces the social impact of donations<\/p>\n\n

In a context of growing citizen confusion, community organizations must redouble their efforts to inform, raise awareness and support donors.<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

A reality that confirms the importance of better informing citizens<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

This new reality shows that waste management cannot rely on infrastructure alone.<\/p>\n\n

Communication becomes essential.<\/p>\n\n

At Fondation La Collecte, this means :<\/p>\n\n

– awareness campaigns– seasonal reminders– home collections on request– donor follow-up– ambassador reactivation and loyalty campaigns <\/p>\n\n

The objective is clear:<\/p>\n\n

Reduce sorting errors.Simplify the act of giving.Maximize environmental and social impact.<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Where to deposit what?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

To bring to a municipal ecocenter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

– paint– solvents– oils– batteries– batteries– chemicals– aerosols<\/p>\n\n

Donate to Fondation La Collecte<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

– clothing– footwear– textiles– accessories accepted– reusable items in compliance<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

The real challenge: preserving the right channels<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

The danger is not only environmental.<\/p>\n\n

The danger also lies in the disorganization of recovery chains.<\/p>\n\n

Every subject sent to the wrong stream:<\/p>\n\n

– increases collective costs– reduces the efficiency of organizations– creates more waste– undermines community initiatives<\/p>\n\n

And in an economic context that is already difficult for many social economy organizations, every sorting error ends up having a human cost.<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

The Montreal decision reported by La Presse reminds us of something important:<\/p>\n\n

Responsible materials management starts with clear, accessible information.<\/p>\n\n

The more people understand where their materials go, the more positive the environmental and social impact.<\/p>\n\n

At Fondation La Collecte, we believe that a simple donation can become a lever for social transformation. But each material must be directed to the right resource.<\/p>\n\n

Because in the end, sorting well also means helping better.<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Sources<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

– La Presse – Article: Montr\u00e9al abolishes its local hazardous waste collections<\/em>– General information on household hazardous waste: Ville de Montr\u00e9al and municipal ecocentres<\/p>\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n

Montreal puts an end to some local hazardous waste collections.<\/p>\n\n

This decision raises a number of issues:public safety, environmental risks, a possible increase in illegal dumping… and increased pressure on recovery and re-use channels.<\/p>\n\n

In this new article, Fondation La Collecte explains why responsible sorting is becoming more important than ever, and how misdirected materials can directly affect community and environmental initiatives.<\/p>\n\n

Because in the end, sorting well also means helping better.<\/p>\n\n

Read the full article on our blog<\/p>\n\n

<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Montreal abolishes some local hazardous waste collections: why this decision worries the environment and community initiatives According to an article published by La Presse on April 27, 2026, the City of Montreal will end certain local collections of household hazardous waste, redirecting citizens to municipal ecocenters. This decision raises a number of important questions. For […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":3668,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-non-classifiee"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3667"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3667\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3669,"href":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3667\/revisions\/3669"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fondationlacollecte.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}