In accordance with Recyc-Québec’s charter, we ensure the sorting and processing of five types of recyclable materials: paper, cardboard, plastic, metal and glass. By combining mechanical, optical and manual sorting, our team makes sure that each class of material is sorted adequately, so that the products that are accepted in blue bins are entirely recycled.
What is recyclable?
Paper
Paper is one of the main recycled materials in Québec and is always the most sorted material at Société VIA in terms of quantity. Whether it is office paper, newspapers or brown paper bags, this material can be recycled several times, which prevents trees from being cut down. A simple and efficient sorting of paper products at home or at the office is an easy action to make, which has nevertheless a great impact while being a socially meaningful gesture!
Recyclable
- Newspapers, circulars and magazines
- Books and notebooks (without bindings)
- Office paper, envelopes, invoices
- Shredded paper (in a transparent plastic bag)
- Brown paper bags
Non-recyclable
- Metallic packaging tape and paper
- Waxed and resin-coated paper
- Tissue and paper towel
- Fabric dryer sheets
- Disposable diapers and heavily soiled paper
Useful tips
- Separate paper from other kinds of materials (e.g.: publi-sac bag)
Recycled finished products
- New paper
- Ecological cellulose insulation
One tonne of recycled paper = 2,5 tonnes of wood that will not need to be cut down
Cardboard
Cardboard being an easily recycled material, it is becoming an increasingly significant part of all the materials that are processed in our recycling centres. Whether it is flat, corrugated or multi-layer, cardboard is entirely recycled thanks to our strong partnership with Québec recyclers like Cascades.
Recyclable
- Flat cardboard (cereal boxes, etc.)
- Egg carton
- Corrugated cardboard (shipping containers)
- Milk/juice cartons (Tetrapak)
- Cardboard coffee cups (e.g.: Tim Hortons)
Non-recyclable
- Heavily soiled cardboard
Useful tips
- Separate cardboard from other kinds of materials (e.g. : plastic containers)
Recycled finished products
- New cardboard
- Paper towels, toilet paper
4 milk cartons = one toilet paper roll
Plastic
Plastic recycling has evolved a lot since the beginnings of the separate collection. Today, all types of plastic products can be recycled (i.e. codes 1-7), except for containers identified as #6 in most municipalities. Some of our partners work actively to find new opportunities, so all plastic products could be recycled.
Recyclable
- Food containers (margarine, yogurt, ice cream, etc.)
- Soft drinks and spring water bottles (refundable or not)
- Cleaning products containers (bleach, soap, etc.)
- Beauty and health care containers (shampoo, hand cream, etc.)
- Plastic bags and wrappings all put together in a plastic bag
Non-recyclable
- All plastic products identified as #6
- All plastic products without a code
- Objects that are made of several materials
- Pool covers and liners
*These instructions may vary depending on your municipality.
Useful tips
- Empty and lightly rinse your containers and bottles
- Put all plastic bags in one bag (including all plastic wrappings and films)
Recycled finished products
- New bottles and containers
- Fall pipes
- Park benches, chairs
- Synthetic fiber (e.g.: polyester clothes, rugs)
20 water bottles = one fleece sweater
34 water bottles = one down alternative comforter
450 detergent bottles = one three-seat bench
Glass
In spite of all the bad press about glass in the recent years, it is a very interesting recyclable material that can be recycled indefinitely thanks to its non-toxic components. Processing glass is also relatively easy and has less environmental impact in comparison with other products.
Recyclable
- Juice, soft drink or alcoholic beverage bottles
- Glass containers for food
Non-recyclable
- Light bulbs and neon lights
- Flat glass (window) and mirrors
- Drinking glass, crystal and Pyrex
- Porcelain and ceramic
Useful tips
- Empty and lightly rinse your containers and bottles.
Recycled finished products
- New glass bottles and containers
- Abrasive material (sandblast)
- Aggregates that are used to make concrete
- Pool filtration
- Glass fibre
- Ground levelling
Metal
The metal that is collected during selective collection can be recycled indefinitely. Metal products divide into two categories: ferrous and non-ferrous metals (steel and aluminium). Refundable aluminium cans that are put in the blue bins are also collected and recycled, which represents another way of supporting our recycling activities and improving the quality of our equipment.
Recyclable
- Tin cans
- Metal or aluminium cans (refundable and non-refundable)
- Products made of aluminium (aluminium pie pans, aluminium foil, etc.)
Non-recyclable
- Metal that is heavily soiled with food
- Electric household appliances
- Pressurized containers (cylinders)
Useful tips
- Empty and lightly rinse your containers, bottles and cans.
Recycled finished products
- New cans and containers
- Metal rods and various metal parts
670 aluminium cans = one bicycle frame
What about the rest?
Apart from the materials that we identified as recyclable, no other material – such as wood, fabrics (e.g.: pieces of clothing), construction waste, toxic products and chemicals – can be recycled currently by Société VIA’s recycling centres. In order to give those materials a second life, we suggest that you visit an ecocentre or any other facility located in your municipality.
For more information about how to dispose of non-recyclable materials: http://www.recreer.ca/dans-le-bac/