The Semaine québécoise de réduction des déchets (SQRD) will take place from October 21 to 27 under the theme “Consommer moins, mais mieux!“.

The aim is to inform the public and raise awareness of the impacts of over-consumption.

Did you know that by reducing our waste, we are not only helping to protect the environment, but also generating positive impacts for our city? In fact, when the tonnage of residual waste is reduced, the city receives higher royalties, which helps finance and improve our services.

In 2023, the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) awarded the city a grant of $405,713.97 under the program for the redistribution of disposal charges. This amount is calculated on the basis of a municipality's territorial performance in disposing of residential waste and industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) waste.

So, the less waste we produce, the greater our chances of obtaining a high subsidy. As nothing is won in advance, let's keep up our efforts: it pays to reduce the quantities of residual materials produced!

What are the impacts of over-consumption?

The production of our various consumer goods requires excessive quantities of resources. The Quebec economy consumes nearly 271 million tonnes of resources every year¹ . This has a direct impact on the quantities of waste produced, and on the capacity of landfill sites, which are reaching saturation point.

Recycling and composting, as beneficial as they are, are not enough on their own to meet the challenge posed by the large quantities of waste generated.

In Quebec, 13 millions tonnes of residual materials² are produced every year, that's a truckload of 25 tonnes per minute. Of this, 5.4 millions tonnes ends up in landfills or incinerators!

Recycling is good, but reducing is even better!

What does the annual consumption of a Lazarois look like?

In 2023, 195 kg of residual materials per person were produced. By 2030, the Plan métropolitain de gestion de matières résiduelles (PMGMR) has set a target of reducing the amount of material to 170 kg per person per year³.

We're getting closer to our goal, but there’s still work to be done!

How can we reduce our waste consumption?

Taking part in waste reduction efforts starts with small, simple gestures like the 3RV: reduction at source, reuse, recycling and valuation.

The best waste is the waste we don't produce!

Here are some possible solutions:

1. Rethink the way you consume
   For example, by avoiding over-consumption, reducing consumption of disposable products, opting for products without packaging, borrowing rather than buying, repairing rather than throwing away, or buying sustainable products.
   
   
2. Reuse objects
   There are many alternatives to throwing something away: donate it, exchange it or find a new use for it. There's no limit to creativity!
   
   
3. Dispose of your items wisely

• Take part in the various city and MRC collections (bulky items, cardboard, etc.).
• Put items in the right bin (black, brown, blue)
• Take advantage of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges ecocenter network
• Get to know local organizations and businesses such as Source d'entraide and Carrefour de l'Espoir.

It's up to all of us to keep informed about the materials accepted for collection. When in doubt, use the Tricycle tool.

4. Manage your leaves in an environmentally-friendly way by practising herbicycling.
   Leaves are not waste! They are an ally and offer many benefits. Use them to protect your vegetable garden and flower beds from the cold, put them in your domestic composter or brown bin, shred them and spread them over your property to enrich your soil.

Reducing waste at source is the best way to protect our environment!

To learn even more tips and tricks, visit sqrd.org or download the Project Z application.