Gatineau updates blue bin program

Tashi Farmilo

Recycling has become easier and more inclusive for Gatineau residents following significant updates to the city’s blue bin programme. Effective as of January 1, a broader range of materials is now accepted in the blue recycling bins, aligning the city with province-wide efforts to simplify waste management and encourage higher recycling rates.

Residents now need only determine if an item is a container, packaging, or printed material. If it is, it belongs in the blue bin. This update significantly expands what can be recycled, now including items like chip bags, individual yoghurt containers, and Styrofoam trays. These commonly discarded items, which were previously destined for landfills, can now be given a second life through the updated recycling programme. Printed materials—such as newspapers, magazines, flyers, and other paper products—can also go in the blue bin alongside plastics and other recyclables.

While these materials are mixed in the blue bin, they are carefully separated at facilities like Tricentris. Using advanced sorting technology, the recycling centre separates paper-based materials, plastics, metals, and other recyclables to ensure they are processed correctly and recycled into new products. This streamlined system reduces the need for residents to pre-sort materials, making recycling more accessible and convenient.

However, some exceptions remain. Aerosol containers and expanded polystyrene protective packaging, such as large foam blocks used in shipping, cannot go in the blue bin and must still be taken to designated ecocentres for proper disposal.

This update follows Gatineau’s partnership with Éco Entreprises Québec, the organisation spearheading the modernisation of selective collection across the province. The partnership, established in January 2024, reflects Gatineau’s proactive approach to improving recycling systems.

City officials have emphasised the importance of these changes, highlighting the environmental and practical benefits for residents. Marc Bureau, Chair of the Commission on the Environment and Climate Change, described the update as a major step forward. "This long-awaited modernisation simplifies recycling for our community while expanding the range of accepted materials. We hope these changes encourage greater participation and help reduce the environmental footprint of our city," he said.

To accommodate residents with larger volumes of recyclables, the city offers an additional blue bin free of charge through its 311 service. For those unsure about specific items, Gatineau provides guidance via its website and the DTRITUS app, ensuring that everyone can contribute to the success of the new programme.