Bins (purchases, tips, breakage, distribution and delay)

Blue bin

To facilitate and optimize the manual sorting done by employees at the sorting centre and to prevent damage to equipment, make sure that you:

• Rinse all containers (this also reduces the number of flies in your blue bin);
• Place shredded paper in a clear plastic bag (shredded paper ONLY);
• Place bags and plastic packaging film in a clear bag;
• Empty the entire contents of your Publisac directly into the bin (instead of leaving the flyers in the bag);
• Place metal hangers together in bunches.

Brown bin

• In the winter, to prevent food waste from sticking, cover the bottom and sides of the bin with one of the following options:
  • unwaxed newspaper
  • flyers
  • soiled cardboard
  • paper grocery bags
  • cardboard packaging
  • soiled pizza boxes
  • soiled paper towels with no chemical products
  • soiled tissues

• Alternate layers of waste and paper (lasagna style) or wrap waste in newspaper (papillote style)
• If you are using a bag to line the bin, it must be made of compostable paper (no plastic bags, even those considered “eco-friendly” or “biodegradable”).
• The bag must be tightly closed to prevent flies from getting inside of them to lay eggs.
  Keep in mind that it takes 10 days for flies to develop from eggs into adults and that the collection takes place every 7 days.
• If you are not bothered by maggots, they are an excellent source of protein for birds, who anxiously wait for brown bins to be placed at the curb. If you prefer to get rid of maggots, sprinkle them of vinegar or salt.
• If you are bothered by the odour of your brown bin, keep strong-smelling waste (fish, lobster, meat) in a small compostable paper bag (with a cellulose film) in the freezer until the day of collection or sprinkle baking soda in your bin.
• Keep your bin’s cover tightly closed (remember to lift the latch on the day of collection).
• Rinse your bin with a bit of vinegar and allow it to air dry.
• Keep your bin clean and out of the sun.
• If you are going on vacation, ask a neighbour to take out your bin!

Black bin

If you maximize the use of your brown and blue bin, your black bin should only contain dry final waste, with a few exceptions including soiled diapers, litter and animal excrement. These can be sealed in a plastic bag to prevent flies from getting inside to lay their eggs.

A bin can be replaced free of charge if it is broken due to:

• A manufacturing defect
• Mishandling by a municipal employee
• Mishandling by a municipal supplier

A bin must be purchased* at the owner's expense if:

• It was broken due to reasons other than those mentioned above
• The bin was lost

*Purchase and payment are made at the City Hall counter. Delivery is included in the price of the bin.

If your bin is damaged, simply:

1. Fill out the online form (type in “broken” to indicate the nature of the damage)
   

   You must provide your personal information, your bin’s serial number, a description of the damage and a picture of the damage (optional).

2. Wait until the City provides confirmation of the date of repair and instructions (approximately 2 weeks)
3. The day of the repair, empty your bin completely and rinse it out. Bins that are too damaged may be replaced

Repairs are done:

• Over several days if the damage is extensive
• On site in your private entrance
• By the MRC for the blue bin
• By a company mandated by the City for the black and brown bins.
• Free of charge if the damage is not due to the homeowner’s negligence. 

The City distributes and delivers 4 bins to the addresses of new constructions, free of charge:

• 1 240-litre black bin (garbage)
• 1 360-litre blue bin (recycling)
• 1 brown bin (food waste only) of 80 litres or more depending on number of units
• 1 brown countertop bin for the kitchen

These bins, delivered free of charge, are the property of the City and must never be taken with you when you move.

Each bin has its own serial number, which is associated with your address. This number validates that the bin belongs to the City and is used to order replacement parts if needed.

It is likely that collections will not be completed within the normal time frame or during the scheduled day. If this is the case, any delay will be made up the next day.

Reasons for his delays:

• labour shortages
• summer vacations
• training of new employees
• maximum number of driving and working hours permitted by the Law

Residents who notice that multiple bins on their street have not been emptied, despite having followed the instructions for that particular collection, should :

1. Refer the City's website or Facebook page for any mention of delays in the collection;
2. Leave the bin or bulky items at the curb on the day following the scheduled collection.

If your compliant bin or bulky items have still not been picked up after 7:00 p.m. the next day, please fill out a online request or call Public Works at 450-424-8000, ext. 250.