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New recyclable materials
As of 2025, all containers, packaging, and printed items will be recyclable in Quebec. Materials such as chip bags, yogurt cups, various plastics, cardboard, paper, and glass are now eligible for recycling. This change aims to simplify recycling for residents and increase participation.
Marie-Claude Rivet, spokesperson for Éco Entreprises Québec (EEQ), clarified recycling guidelines:
- Items do not need to be spotless but should be reasonably clean (e.g., rinse peanut butter jars).
- Grease-stained pizza boxes are acceptable, but heavily soiled ones are not.
Aerosol cans, polystyrene packaging, and compostable bags remain non-recyclable under the new rules.
Management and costs
The recycling system will now be managed by Éco Entreprises Québec. The organization represents businesses responsible for packaging and printed materials sold in Quebec. These companies will cover the costs of recycling and face higher fees for non-eco-friendly products.
Businesses are encouraged to adopt sustainable practices by:
- Reducing unnecessary packaging
- Using single-material containers
- Avoiding materials that cannot be recycled
This approach aims to shift the burden of recycling costs to producers while incentivizing them to make environmentally responsible decisions.
Challenges and opportunities
Quebec’s recycling system has faced challenges, including contamination of sorted materials and inefficient recycling practices. Over 50% of recyclable materials currently end up in landfills. The updated system seeks to address these issues by increasing recycling volumes and creating markets for these materials.
Karel Ménard, head of the Quebec Coalition for Ecological Waste Management, highlighted the problems with compostable bags, calling them misleading. These bags neither decompose like organic waste nor recycle like plastics, creating confusion for consumers.
Future recycling plans
EEQ will provide regular reports to the Quebec government to monitor progress. Materials must be recycled within Quebec or in neighboring provinces or states. Rivet emphasized that proper recycling helps develop the infrastructure needed for long-term success.
Further developments include potential separate collection systems for glass to improve its recycling efficiency. The government aims to use these changes as a foundation for building a more sustainable waste management system in the coming years.
Quebec's 2025 recycling updates mark a crucial step toward reducing waste and encouraging sustainability. These reforms will benefit residents, businesses, and the environment.
source: CBC
Starting January 1, 2025, Quebec will implement significant changes to its recycling system. These updates will expand the list of
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