Studies | update 2011-03-21
Characterization of Residual Materials from Quebec's Commercial Sub-Sector in Québec

Since the transition was made from small recycling boxes to roll-out containers, more and more municipalities have been including businesses and institutions in their municipal curbside recycling programs. ÉEQ feels that it is important to have accurate information on the quantity and composition of materials thus recovered because it may eventually be called upon to include the collection and handling of those materials in reimbursable total net costs.

Similar to the methodology used in the Characterization Study of Residential Residual Materials, over 500 businesses and institutions in the Greater Montreal area had their materials sorted and analyzed four times during 2008-2009 to ensure that the four seasons of the year were considered. A survey was carried out to determine the percentage of businesses and institutions served by municipal curbside recycling services.

The project was directed by RECYC-QUÉBEC, in partnership with BFI Canada, Éco Entreprises Québec, the City of Montréal and the Conférence régionale des élus de Montréal. Materials were collected and transported by BFI Canada and FA, its subsidiary, while NI Environnement was responsible for sorting.

Consult the first summary analysis report, which provides general characterization data for Quebec:

Caractérisation des matières résiduelles du sous-secteur commercial au Québec 2008-2009 (in French) November 2009

In 2010, ÉEQ conducted a second data analysis, which was used to determine the distribution of costs according to material and to develop ÉEQ’s schedule of contributions.

Consult the complementary report, published exclusively by ÉEQ: NEW!

Rapport d'analyse complémentaire des données tirées de la Caractérisation des matières résiduelles du sous-secteur commercial au Québec 2008-2009 – March 21, 2011