Montreal Garbage & Recycling

Waste collection in Montreal is managed by borough-level municipal services, meaning schedules and details may vary slightly depending on your neighbourhood.

Your Standard Curbside Service (Most Houses)

Single-family homes and small residential buildings receive curbside pickup.

What you get

Properties typically include:

♻️ Recycling bin (blue bin)
🟤 Brown bin (organic waste)
🗑️ Garbage collection service

Bins remain with the property.

Collection Schedule

Collection frequency varies by borough but commonly includes:

• Recycling — weekly

• Organics — weekly

• Garbage — weekly or biweekly

Bins must be placed curbside on assigned days.

Recycling Program

Montreal uses single-stream recycling.

Accepted items

• Paper and cardboard

• Plastic containers

• Glass containers

• Metal packaging

Quick tips

• Rinse containers

• Keep materials loose

• Flatten cardboard

Garbage Collection

Garbage must be bagged and placed in approved bins.

Rules include:

• No loose waste

• Weight limits may apply

• Some boroughs limit garbage volume to encourage composting

Yard Waste Collection (Seasonal)

Yard waste pickup occurs during spring and fall collection periods.

Accepted yard waste

• Leaves

• Garden waste

• Small branches

Paper bags or reusable containers required.

Large Items & Special Waste

Bulk item collection is scheduled periodically depending on borough.

Drop-off eco-centres accept:

• Electronics

• Paint

• Appliances

• Hazardous materials

Compost & Food Waste

Montreal operates a growing brown bin compost program across most boroughs.

Accepted materials:

• Food scraps

• Coffee grounds

• Food-soiled paper

• Yard waste

Participation is mandatory where available.

How You Pay for It

Waste collection is funded through municipal property taxes rather than separate billing.

Homeowners do not receive individual waste invoices.