The city of Montreal is currently grappling with increasing amounts of garbage piling up on its sidewalks as it aims for a zero-waste goal by 2030. Municipal officials assert that the situation is part of a larger plan aimed at transforming the city’s waste management practices. Marie-Andrée Mauger, a member of the city’s executive committee responsible for ecological transition, emphasized that residents are starting to understand the impact of their participation in recycling and organic waste collection, noting a decrease in residual waste as a result. Some neighborhoods have already seen a shift to biweekly garbage pickups, which are part of Mayor Valérie Plante’s commitment to making Montreal the greenest city in North America. However, this transition has met with discontent from residents, particularly in Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, where the smell from accumulated waste has become problematic.
Community advocate Jonathan Haiun of Ligue 33 has expressed concerns that the biweekly collection has failed to achieve its ecological objectives since its implementation late last year. Issues arise from improper composting practices among residents, leading to a mix of waste that complicates effective disposal. Haiun and other stakeholders are calling for a return to weekly garbage pickups, arguing that the current approach is not conducive to better waste management or environmental responsibility. A recent survey commissioned by the opposition party, Ensemble Montréal, further illustrates public dissatisfaction, revealing that 54% of Montreal residents find biweekly pickups unacceptable.
Comparatively, other large Canadian cities like Toronto, Halifax, and Vancouver have successfully maintained biweekly pickups for years, managing the transition alongside organic waste programs. Mauger anticipates that as composting programs expand to cover all neighborhoods by 2025, overall waste management will improve. However, current statistics show that less than half of Montrealers utilize the designated organic waste bins, and only a minor increase in awareness regarding their correct usage has been observed since 2021. This highlights the challenges faced in prompting a behavioral shift among residents as part of the city’s sustainability efforts.
Karel Ménard, a Montreal environmentalist, suggests that responsibility for these challenges is shared among citizens, the municipality, and producers of short-lived disposable products that frequently contribute to waste issues. The greater Montreal area has observed various municipalities switching to biweekly pickups; however, the city itself presents unique challenges due to its dense population and diverse building structures. With many households lacking individual driveways, the one-size-fits-all approach may not effectively cater to the varying needs of Montreal’s residents. The zero-waste initiative emphasizes food waste reduction, increased composting, and recycling, alongside a ban on single-use plastics.
Despite the setbacks highlighted in public reaction, opposition Councilor Stephanie Valenzuela believes there is substantial work ahead for Projet Montréal. The results of recent polling indicate a disconnect between the city’s ambitious environmental goals and public sentiment, raising questions about the effectiveness of current educational outreach efforts. Valenzuela points out that the administration has not met public expectations for innovation in environmental management, suggesting a significant gap between projected outcomes and realities on the ground.
Mauger remains optimistic about Montreal’s trajectory toward biweekly pickups across all boroughs by 2029, noting that a significant portion of the population recognizes the limits of landfill capacity and expresses a willingness to actively engage in reducing waste. This growing awareness presents a hopeful outlook for the city’s ambitious zero-waste goals, suggesting that with continued emphasis on public education and improved waste management practices, Montreal may have the potential to become a model for ecological sustainability in urban settings.
