The City of Westmount has increased its efforts to divert 60% of our waste from landfill sites, but we can’t do it without you!

An important part of waste diversion is our recycling programme. Westmounters are leaders in this area with one of the highest participation rates in the province, but there is always room for improvement. You can recycle better by making sure that materials in your recycling bin are properly prepared for pick-up. It’s so easy and there’s no excuse.

Materials accepted for recycling

While most materials can be recycled, there are some important exceptions. If you include non-recyclable items in your blue box, you risk contaminating the contents of the whole truck. Unsure if your item is recyclable in Westmount’s blue box programme? Please call Public Works. Our staff will be glad to help you.

Preparation of recyclable materials for collection

The quality of the materials counts. Please make sure that:

• Containers have been rinsed to remove food and grease.
• Recycling materials are placed securely in your blue box. Materials piled high in the box often spill over and cause litter in the surrounding area. Remember that materials that get blown away will usually end up in the garbage instead of being recycled.
• When preparing your blue box please remember to flatten empty containers, such as milk and juice cartons and plastic bottles. All cardboard boxes from cereal, crackers, laundry detergent and tissues should be flattened. Flattening empty boxes and containers will give you more space in you blue box and lessen the chance of spill over.
• Excess materials are clean, and placed securely in a plastic or paper bag next to your blue box.

Obtain a blue box or a blue bag

If you live in a house and do not have a blue box, or you need a replacement blue box, pick one up at the Public Works Building, 1 Bethune, during regular business hours. A proof of residence is required.

For apartment dwellers, Westmount offers convenient blue bags to help carry materials to your recycling bins.

Blue bags can be obtained at City Hall’s Customer Service Centre (4333 Sherbrooke Street West)or at the Public Works Building (1 Bethune Street) during regular working hours. A proof of residence is required

Commercial sector

The City of Westmount offers a weekly door to door collection of cardboard and paper for small to medium size businesses, located in the commercial sectors of Greene Ave., Ste. Catherine, Victoria and Sherbrooke Street West.

Collection is every Tuesday starting at 10 a.m. Properly prepared material is collected directly from the place of business via the lane or curbside for those who do not have access to the public lane.

Materials collected

Only cardboard and paper are collected for recycling through this program.

• All items must be clean and free of food residue
• All cardboard boxes must be flattened and bundled together or neatly placed in another cardboard box
• Paper must be in a plastic recycling bag
• DO NOT include Styrofoam, plastic film or bubble wrap in the recycling; these items will not be collected

Points to remember

• Clean plastic, metal and glass containers can be recycled at the permanent depot located at the Public Works yard, 1 rue Bethune
• If you miss the collection on your street, you can bring your materials to the permanent depot
• The permanent depot is open to the public Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Register to participate

The program is free of charge but businesses must register with the Public Works office to participate. You may register by contacting Public Works at 514-989-5390 during regular business hours.