Recycle

The 5Rs rule

The “5 Rs” in recycling are a practical approach to promoting the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste.

By putting the 5Rs into practice – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover and Refuse – we can help preserve natural resources, reduce waste and protect the environment.

Here is an explanation of each R :

Reduce

The first step is to reduce the amount of waste we produce. This means making informed choices when making purchases and preventing the creation of unnecessary waste. For example, by avoiding over-packaged products or using reusable bags instead of single-use plastic ones.

Reuse

Instead of throwing things away after their first use, we can reuse them as many times as possible. This can include repairing broken items, donating items we no longer need to charity or sharing items with others. By reusing objects, we extend their lifespan and reduce the demand for new products.

Recycle

The recycling stage involves collecting, processing and transforming recyclable materials into new products or materials. Recycling reduces the consumption of virgin natural resources, saves energy and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. Commonly recycled materials include paper, plastic, glass and metal. It’s important to follow local recycling guidelines to ensure that materials are sorted correctly.

Recover

Recovery comes after reduction, reuse and recycling. It involves extracting raw materials from waste that cannot be reused or recycled directly. For example, energy can be recovered from non-recyclable waste by incineration and electricity generation.

Refuse

Although not technically part of the “5 Rs”, refusal is a key concept in waste management. This means refusing to buy products that are designed to be disposable or that generate a lot of waste. By opting for sustainable alternatives and making responsible consumption decisions, we can reduce our impact on the environment.

What goes in the recycling bin?

It’s simple: containers, packaging, printed matter!

Most of the recyclable materials accepted meet the following two conditions:
– It’s a container, packaging or printed matter.
– It’s made of paper, cardboard, glass, plastic or metal.

Learn more about everything that goes in the bin on this page.

Packaging

Container

Print

Tips and tricks

1

Separate

Separate the various recyclable components of a single item before placing it in the bin (lid and container, flyers and plastic bag, cookie jar and plastic tray, etc.).

2

Deposit

Place the materials in a jumble, without nesting them.

Make a bag of plastic bags (including all stretch wrapping and plastic film).

3

Empty

Containers do not need to be rinsed out completely, but emptying them properly (with a spatula) and rinsing them out quickly will help to provide the best possible results.
better working conditions for sorters.

Paper

Recyclable

Newspapers, circulars and magazines
Books and notebooks (unbound)
Office paper, envelopes, invoices
Shredded paper (in transparent plastic bag)
Brown paper bags

Non-recyclable

Metallized wrapping paper and tape
Waxed, laminated paper
Tissue and paper towels
Dryer softener sheets
Disposable diapers and soiled paper

One tonne of recycled paper = 2.5 tonnes of wood saved.

Cardboard

Recyclable

Flat cardboard (cereal boxes, etc.)
Egg cartons
Corrugated cardboard (shipping boxes)
Milk and juice cartons (Tetrapak)
Cardboard coffee glasses (e.g. Tim Hortons)

Non-recyclable

Heavily soiled cardboard

4 cartons of milk = one roll of toilet paper

Plastic

Recyclable

Food containers (margarine, yogurt, ice cream, etc.)
Soft drink and spring water containers (with or without deposits)
Containers of household cleaning products (bleach, soap, etc.)
Health care containers (shampoo, hand cream, etc.)
Plastic bags and packaging in a bag of bags

Non-recyclable

All uncoded items
Objects made from several materials (e.g. potato chip bags)
Swimming pool covers

450 bottles of detergent = a three-seater bench

*Note that code 6 is now only accepted at the Quebec City sorting center.

Glass

Recyclable

Juice, soft drink and alcoholic beverage bottles
All-purpose glass containers for foodstuffs

Non-recyclable

Light bulbs and neon
Flat glass and mirrors
Drinking glass, crystal and Pyrex
Porcelain and ceramics

2000 bottles of wine = 1 tonne of abrasive eco-products or filtration

Metal

Recyclable

Tin cans
Metal and aluminum cans (returnable and non-returnable)
Aluminum items (plates, dishes, aluminum foil, etc.)

Non-recyclable

Metal heavily soiled by food
Household appliances
Pressurized containers (carboys)

670 aluminum cans = one bicycle frame

*Indications may vary according to the municipalities served.

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Here are some examples of materials that cannot be recycled

Some materials cannot be recycled because of their chemical composition, volume or structural complexity. Here are a few examples of materials not accepted at Société VIA’s sorting centers.