Ecocenters are scattered across the grounds of Montreal.
To find the one nearest you – Ecocenters in Montreal
A safe place for household hazardous waste
Ecocenters are safe deposit places for household hazardous waste or large objects. Montrealers can bring their waste and sort them out on site. This permits you to efficiently dispatch recyclable goods to specialized recycling companies. This service is offered for free to Montreal residents but businesses must pay.
Cities also sometimes organize special event days for the drop-off of a specific item. Read your local newspaper to know of these events.
Various collection sites
Certain establishments are always open to drop-offs, such as Lenscrafters, who always accept old glasses which they repair and ship to underprivileged children. Or certain cellphone dealerships who will take your old cellphones and recycle them for future models.
Some household hazardous waste may be taken to various drop-off locations throughout the urban agglomeration:
- Automotive batteries & waste motor oil
Drop-off location: Canadian Tire - Expired medicines & syrups
Drop-off location: Pharmacies - Rechargeable batteries & cell phones
Drop-off location: 65 fire stations of the Montreal agglomeration - Leftover paint
Drop-off location: RONA - Propane
Drop-off location: Filling stations - Syringes (use a plastic container with a lid)
Contact the Direction de la santé publique de Montréal at 514 528-2400
ECOCENTERS ACCEPT
- Grass
- Leaves
- Natural Christmas trees
- Branches
- Wood
- Pallets
- Reusable wood
- Painted wood
- Beams
- Concrete
- Rock
- Asphalt
- Brick
- Aggregate
- Uncontaminated soil
- Used building materials
- Toilets
- Sinks
- Windows
- Light fixtures
- Asphalt shingles
- Dry materials
- Used tires (except bicycle & trailer tires)
- Reusable tires (without rims)
- Metal
- Iron
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Lead
- Zinc
- Wire
- Gutters
- Rims
- Empty paint containers
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Glass
- Plastic
- Plastic wrap & bags
- PVC
- Returnable containers
- Milk cartons
- Refrigerators
- Stoves
- Dryers
- Computers
- Monitors
- Printers
- Printer cartridges
- Scanners
- Small electric appliances
- Sporting equipment
- Bicycles
- Eyeglasses
- Used clothig & rags
- Furniture
- Office equipment
ACCEPTED HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW)
- Propane bottles (full or empty)
- Floor wax
- Varsol
- Solid fuel
- Ink
- Glue
- Roofing tar
- Automotive grease
- Furniture polish
- Liquid resin
- Nail polish remover
- Metal polish
- Antifreeze
- Rat poison (cyanide)
- Stripper
- Paint thinner
- Gasoline
- Window cleaner
- Kerosene (oil lamps)
- Fondue fuel
- Turpentine
- Cooking oil
- Automotive oil
- Fluorescent tubes (neon lights)
- Primer
- Wood protector
- Stains
- Varnishes
- Paint (latex, oil, rustproof)
- Insecticides
- Herbicides
- Fungicides
- Batteries
- Flux
- Wood stain
- Fertilizers
- Disinfectants
- Scouring powder
- Chlorine for pools
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Pipe clog remover
- Photography products
- Mercury thermometers
- Carpet and window cleaners
- All purpose cleaners
ECOCENTERS REFUSE
- Biomedical or radioactive waste
- Bottles of compressed gas other than propane
- Explosives
- Ammunition, flares & fireworks
- Contaminated soil
Storing household hazardous waste safely
- Store HHW in airtight containers out of reach of children and pets
- Don't stockpile large quantities
- Store such products in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location
- Do not smoke inside the storage location
- Avoid storing base and acid products close to each other
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling any HHW
- Always store propane tanks or bottles outside (even in winter)
Important Note: Because such products are corrosive, toxic, explosive or flammable, they must not be put in the garbage or poured down a drain.
* Sources: Ville de Montréal & éco-quartier